Susan Boyle has revealed that she suffered a minor stroke in April 2022, leaving her unable to sing for four years. The 62-year-old Scottish singer made the announcement during a surprise appearance on the Britain's Got Talent final on Sunday, where she performed with the London cast of Les Misérables.
Boyle told presenters Ant and Dec: 'It feels great. It is extra special for me actually because last April there, I suffered a minor stroke. I have fought like crazy to get back on stage. And I have done it.' She later posted on Facebook that she had worked hard to regain her speech and singing abilities.
Boyle shot to fame in 2009 after her audition for the third series of BGT, singing 'I Dreamed a Dream' from Les Misérables. She came second in that year's final but went on to sell more than 20 million albums and receive two Grammy nominations. She has performed for the late Queen, a US president and the Pope.
Head judge Simon Cowell commented: 'Susan, we owe you so much and I knew you weren't well, but if anyone was going to come back you were going to come back because it wouldn't be the same without you.'
Boyle was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome in 2013. The final was won by comedian Vigo Venn, who beat bookmakers' favourite Musa Motha, a dancer from South Africa who had one leg amputated when he was 11.
