SINGER BOYLE REACHES TALENT FINAL

Susan Boyle's performance that won her a place in the final - Footage courtesy of Talkback Thames/Syco

Scottish singer Susan Boyle has secured a place in the final of ITV's Britain's Got Talent, after performing live on television for the first time.

The 48-year-old from West Lothian became a worldwide sensation after her audition performance of I Dreamed A Dream was screened last month.

Sunday evening's show was watched by nearly 12 million viewers.

Also through to Saturday's final were Dance group Diversity, with 10-year-old Natalie Okri voted out by the judges.

When Ms Boyle heard the result of the public vote - after her rendition of Memory from the musical, Cats - she gave a victory dance for the studio audience.

Susan Boyle fans in her home village of Blackburn watch her performance

When the show's hosts, Ant and Dec, asked her how she had coped with the pressure, she said: "What pressure, I really enjoyed myself, I enjoyed every second. I'd do it again!"

The 40 acts to reach the semi-finals were revealed during Saturday's night's Britain's Got Talent show.

In each of the semi-finals, two acts will be picked by the public and the judges to make it through to the grand final on 30 May.

They are competing for the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show and win a £100,000 cheque.

Ms Boyle's first appearance on the television talent show received more than 58 million hits on the internet site, YouTube.

That earned her a number of famous fans, including rock musician Jon Bon Jovi and actress Demi Moore. She has also been interviewed on American television shows Oprah and Larry King.

BBC NEWS REPORT.