"I've spent weeks rehearsing – it's all I've been thinking about. I'm not going to throw away my big chance now," Boyle, 48, who has moved to a secret location, said in a statement posted on the Britain's Got Talent Web site. She wants "nothing more than to stay and sing," she says.
Difficult Days
Boyle shot to fame in the the show's auditions round and her rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" has been viewed by more than 100 million people online. She made the final after singing "Memory" from the musical Cats."She has not been axed, she has not quit, she is looking forward to performing," says show spokeswoman Sara Lee. "She's fine today, she's in good spirits. She is dealing with the competition perfectly well – it's the external factors that are the problem."
Lee is referring to what she called constant attention by journalists at Boyle's hotel, who pester her every time she left her room. "We are asking for people to respect her privacy so she can concentrate on performing in the show."
Tears and Second Thoughts
The single singer's brother John Boyle confirms to PEOPLE that Susan is struggling. "She has had people banging on her door. It really has been terrible for her," he says. "Other celebrities are insulated from it all."On his blog, Piers Morgan describes what Boyle has been going through.
"Susan is finding it very, very difficult to cope, and to stay calm," he writes. "She has been in tears many times during the last few days, and even, fleetingly, felt like quitting the show altogether at one point and fleeing all the attention."
Boyle competes again Saturday night.
Says brother John, "Let's hope she can rehearse and sing well and does well tomorrow. At the end of the day, it's a talent competition and, as far as Susan is concerned, the world wants to hear her sing."
