SuBo - by the man who knows her best
BROTHER GERRY REVEALS ALL ABOUT BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT STAR
Susan Boyle for hire at £8k a minute!
Britain's Got Talent star to earn £140 a second at private gigs.
BLEARY-EYED and fuzzy headed, a teenage Gerry Boyle groaned as the strains of Marie Osmond's Paper Roses invaded his Saturday morning dreams.
His little sister Susan was at it again, belting out her idols' songs at a volume higher than the last notch on her knackered old record player.
It was the same every weekend - and no wonder, given that she was born to a family who sang along to life like the Sound of Music's Von Trapps.
It makes Gerry smile to look back at it now that Susan has become a global sensation.
He recalls: "I would be trying to have a long lie-in at the weekend, as teenagers do, when I would be woken up by her singing along to her records at the top of her voice.
"Susan was brought up on the sounds of the Osmonds and the Grease soundtrack. It was a musical household, our whole family are singers.
"Our father was a great singer, as was our mother. But she was very humble and would sing in the kitchen, but never stand up and do it.
"She would sing to Susan all the time, and Susan herself started at about the age of ten."
As the little girl learned to perfect her pitch, Gerry's sleep needs were never quite fulfilled - but he and their six other siblings didn't mind.
In an exclusive interview with the News of the World, Gerry reveals how family always came first for the Boyles. And they were all protective of the baby of the family, whose learning difficulties made her a target for taunts.
There was never money to spare, but there was love and music in abundance - and that's why those are the only two things that remain important to Susan today.
"We were a working-class family with no airs and graces," recalls Gerry, 55. "We didn't want for anything but it wasn't a wealthy upbringing."
For them, a night out was a night in with their favourite songs.
He says: "We would spend our evenings by getting the guitars out and having a sing-song. And when Susan became old enough she would join in too - although we never knew what was coming!"
Foreign holidays were a thing they didn't even dream about, they had all the fun they needed on day trips together and summers in Ireland, where the family originally hail from - singing all the way on the journeys.
Gerry recalls: "Every so often we'd all cram into my father's old car and visit relatives in Motherwell and places like that for days out.
"Then maybe once a year we would go and visit relatives in Dungiven and Portrush in Northern Ireland.
"In fact, Susan has still never even been abroad other than Ireland, and that will come as quite a shock to her going to other countries for work where people know who she is already. That will be a strange feeling.
"As for her cat Pebbles, well, she might even get him a pet passport so he can travel the world with her."
The pet has been her only company in the council house in Blackburn, West Lothian, since her beloved mother Bridget died in 2007.
The 48-year-old still sleeps in the room she had as a child when Bridget and husband Patrick packed their eight kids in the four bedrooms.
Maybe its happy memories make it the only place in the world where she could always close the door to a cruel world and feel safe - and still can.
This article has 12 comments
Gerry is riding on Susan's back. He may be somwhat jealous also.
By zcat. Posted September 18 2009 at 10:11 PM.
I think it is time for her brother to stop giving interviews. He has helped Susan when she most needed, but now let her to be in charge of what she want us to know about her and her past life. It is not in her best interest to give too much information to the public. He is even telling us where Susan is going to buy a house,so people can locate her and not leave her alone for Goodness sake!. We don't need to know what is she going to do with her money so the press can start talking about it. I know he intent well , but please stop before you start abusing her.
By leonina. Posted July 2 2009 at 3:16 PM.
There's always got to be some pleb person to post a bucket of cold water thank goodness the rest of the world is not so mean spirited It is just Susan's time to shine get over it Beth.And it is not just her voice but the kind of person she is that has captured hearts .
Susan was hugely blessed to have a loving talented family around her and a mother whom other's refer to as a gem and ofcourse Susan owes her for being just the kind of person she is and Susan says it as well as it was a privilege to take care of her in her old age.
By Temerity. Posted June 22 2009 at 2:55 AM.
Perhaps she'll help some people who need help in her village to find a home or something.
I'm a fan of hers. I have some similar things in common with her concerning family life, being the youngest, taking care of Mom who passed away in Feb., living in the same house. I'm a counselor and love learning about Susan. Life is as complicated as we make it. I love her fashion interests. Jan, in NJ, USA. Hope to meet her.
By Jan . Posted June 18 2009 at 4:32 AM.
Dear Susan boyle:
A beautiful spirit is the only beauty worthwhile.
You are the most outstanding person in the world I have ever seen.
You have millions of fans on your side who hope you get to sing for the Queen!
I love you more and more each day as time goes by.
Welcome to Taiwan Taipei!
Buddha blesses you.
By Michael lin. Posted June 16 2009 at 10:52 AM.
I hope we can see the real Susan as she was on that first TV clip.....singing..... being ever so cheerful with that wave... that wiggle and blowing a kiss and of course THE VOICE....... all wonderful entertainment.......she has reached the hearts of so many GOOD people all over the world
By Beth . Posted June 14 2009 at 10:13 AM.
Whilst I think Susan is a nice, genuine, down to earth lady, I fail to see that her voice is that fantastic. Yes she can sing in tune but so can many others. For some reason she appears to be the chosen one and for this, I wish her all the very best of luck and hope that she is not destroyed as a person in the process of fame!
By Maria Coleman. Posted June 14 2009 at 10:37 AM.
I just want to add my best wishes for both Susan and her family. I for one, LOVE reading about this wonderful down to earth family and appeciate her brother sharing such private moments with the world. I wish all the people who are so negative and hateful would just keep their nasty comments to themselves and let the rest of us show Susan and her family the worlds love and admiration that she so richly deserves!
By Sandi. Posted June 14 2009 at 10:08 AM.
Does Gerry try to hint that Susan owes his mother what she is today, hence it was perfectly alright for the family to leave the old folks to her care singe handedly for 20 years?
By Polison. Posted June 14 2009 at 2:29 AM.
Gerry must shut up and leave Susan alone or he will drive her up the wall again.
By Polison. Posted June 14 2009 at 2:25 AM.
I can imagine how happy the family must be in their earlier lives, growing up with music, sing together, laugh together. It must be wonderful! And now...look what happened, the wish of her mother came out, and Susan is a global star now! Susan's formule is HOT!
By eva. Posted June 7 2009 at 3:54 PM.
We are so happy for susan,we live in livingston,and we are so proud of susan,Me and my family wish you all the best xxx
By diane. Posted June 7 2009 at 11:37 AM.