Susan’s beloved mother, Bridget, posing with Mary Boyle (left) and Bridie Boyle (right).

Susan’s father, Patrick Boyle, during his service in the Royal Engineers during the Second World War.

Susan and her family. Back row left to right: Gerard, James, John, Kathleen, Joe, Bridie, Mary. Front row left to right: Susan, Patrick (father) and Bridget (mother).

Susan’s home in Blackburn, near Broxburn, West Lothian.

Fred O’Neil, who gave Susan singing lessons for several years and nurtured her incredible talent.

Singing has always been Susan’s passion!

Shots of Susan at home taken during the Britain’s Got Talent series.

The formidable Britain’s Got Talent judges. Left to right: Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell.

A woman viewing the incredible YouTube video clip of Susan’s first performance of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ on Britain’s Got Talent.

In the run-up to the final, bookmakers were in a flurry of activity as the public placed bets on the final few contestants. Susan was the firm favourite at Ladbroke’s bookmakers in her home town.

As the series reached its finale, it was clear that the most serious threat to Susan’s victory was the brilliantly gymnastic dance troupe, Diversity.

However, if Ant and Dec, the show’s jovial hosts, had the inside scoop on which way the audience was going to vote in the final, they certainly weren’t letting on.

The support Susan received from the public was incredible.

Supporters wearing Susan masks gather in her hometown to watch the final of Britain’s Got Talent.

Susan greets young fans at the door of her house.

Susan poses with two fans, Mathew Balderston and Kevin Hepworth, who drove for three hours from Alloa in order to meet their hero.

Susan wows fans during the opening show of the Britain’s Got Talent live tour at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, in front of a packed audience of 5,000.

Susan smiles for the cameras with her doctor, Sarah Latzof, after her brief stay at The Priory.

Susan getting ready to board a plane from Heathrow Airport…

… and arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on her first trip to America.

Susan’s beloved cat, Pebbles, became a celebrity in her own right – here, she’s shielded from the snapping lights of photographers!

Susan performing as a guest on America’s Got Talent. In her US TV singing debut, she covered the Rolling Stones track ‘Wild Horses’, as well as singing ‘I Dreamed a Dream’, the song that originally catapulted her to fame in the UK.

As part of its People of the Year show, NBC took a look at the most fascinating, inspirational and heroic figures of 2009. Susan was invited to appear as a guest and was interviewed by Matt Lauer.

Susan is greeted by throngs of fans when she arrives at JFK Airport, New York.

More fans gather to watch Susan perform at The Today Show in New York.

Susan takes to the stage at The Today Show, revels in the limelight and delights the audience.

Back home in Blackburn after her incredible US trip, Susan poses in her dressing gown for the photographers gathered outside her house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her new, post-makeover look.

Susan was to capture the hearts of not just Britain and America, but the whole world. She has appeared on major chat shows throughout Europe. Here she poses with French television presenter Michel Drucker.

As part of her trip to Europe, Susan performs on German television show Menschen 2009.

German television presenter Thomas Gottschalk presents a bouquet of flowers to Susan after her performance on the show.

Susan returns to her home in Blackburn. She may have triumphantly conquered the world, but home is still very much where her heart is.