Susan Boyle, the dowdy Scottish spinster who dumbfounded the judges and won-over the audience of Britain's Got Talent with her extraordinary singing voice despite, as she put it, “looking like a garage”, says she hopes her arresting debut on the TV talent show will remind people not to judge by appearances.

Ms Boyle, 48, from Blackburn, West Lothian, who is now tipped to win the contest, told The Times yesterday that she hopes her story will set an example to the nation.

“Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances,” she said.

“There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.”

At the pre-recorded audition, broadcast four days ago, audience members laughed at the frizzy-haired, church-going Catholic who lives alone with her cat in a rundown council estate, when she said she wanted to follow in the footsteps of the West End star Elaine Paige. Nevertheless, she said, she was determined to show them she has what it takes.

“What you do is ignore that and get on with your act. You have to,” Ms Boyle said.

Minutes later the audience were on their feet, applauding wildly after her soaring rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, from Les Miserables.

Born with a learning disability, Ms Boyle dreamed of becoming a professional singer but in order to care for her elderly mother, Bridget, limited her efforts to the church choir and karaoke. Two years ago, after the death of her mother, she stopped singing. “I though I would take a break - it seemed appropriate,” she said. Eventually she felt ready for a comeback, and chose Britain's Got Talent, her mother's favourite show.

Today, she is a worldwide sensation, a clip of her performance from the show has been viewed almost 2.5 million times on YouTube, and made it on to the news schedules in the United States. Prior to her TV debut Ms Boyle, who is unemployed, spent her days shopping, doing her housework, and occasionally visiting one of her eight siblings. Overnight she has become a national celebrity, but is determined not to change.

“I've had people recognising me but I have gone on as normal - I am very down to earth,” she said.

Her ambition is to see her name in lights in London's West End. “It is early days yet,” she says but hints that there may already be a deal in the pipeline. “Baby steps,” she replies, when asked if she has had any offers.

She believes her age and life experience is her biggest asset: “It gives you faith in your abilities,” she said. “ think I am ready for it.”

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