Adam Lambert didn’t have a boyfriend until he was 24.

Adam Lambert talks falling in love

The 44-year-old singer admitted that growing up he had to conceal his sexuality, so had to “wait” for all the teenage rites of passage others go through.

In an interview on Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show podcast, Adam said: “When I grew up, it was [having relationships with boys] was an off limits thing. So I didn’t have my first kiss, I didn’t have a dance, the first boyfriend. I didn’t date anybody. I didn’t have a dance at a high school prom with a boy. All these rites of passage that teenagers go through when they’re straight. I had to sort of wait for…

“Falling in love for the first time [was a my biggest moment of queer joy]. I was about 24 when I first had a boyfriend and I fell in love.”

While Adam admitted he was “so afraid” of “being vulnerable” or putting himself out there in his 20s, he eventually took a gamble after clicking with someone on Myspace.

He said: “I was 24 and we just clicked. And then we met at a bar, and we had a drink and it was just like an instant attraction. We had a few drinks, then we went back to my car.

“We got in my car and made out and dry humped each other. It was just a really instant chemistry.”

Nowadays, Adam considers himself in “a new frame of mind” when it comes to relationships.

He explained: “For me, I’ve put so much focus and energy into my career. I’ve always put my career at the top over my own happiness, in some cases over my own social life or personal life. And I’m

thankful that I did because I think had I not, I don’t know if I would be where I am.

“I really put a lot of energy into it. But now, looking back, I can see that maybe in some ways I could have found a little more balance, because now I’m starting to recognise, ‘oh it’s important to have something outside of your career. You need a balance. You need a work play balance.’

“So over the past couple of years, I’ve definitely tried to refocus and rebalance my priorities a little bit.”

Listen and watch Josh Smith’s Great Chat Show on Spotify.

Adam Lambert says that he is “lucky” to be able to pay tribute to the late Freddie Mercury by touring the world with QUEEN.

Lambert, drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May first shared the stage during “American Idol” in May 2009 for a performance of “We Are The Champions”. They teamed up again in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast, Ireland for an electrifying eight-minute finale of “The Show Must Go On”, “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” and in the summer of 2012, the singer performed a series of shows with QUEEN across Europe as well as dates in Russia, Ukraine and Poland. They have since completed a number of tours and performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world.

Lambert, who was the openly first gay man to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, spoke about his ongoing stint with QUEEN in a recent interview with Jane Kennedy and Mick Molloy of Australia’s Triple M radio station.

He said (see video below): “I’m so lucky that I get to pay tribute to [Freddie] and celebrate him as an artist and as a person, as a writer, as a singer. And I think I relate to some of the stuff that he, obviously, has gone through; I can kind of draw some comparisons there. And I hope that in some way I can carry on his spirit. I think that there are certain intentions with which those songs are supposed to be sung, and I try to go there. And I’ve asked a lot of questions and learned a lot about him, and I really try to keep him in the forefront of my mind. Not to imitate, but to do it for him — kind of, like, celebrate him.”

May previously described Lambert as the only singer the band had found capable of filling the shoes of Mercury, who died in 1991 of complications from to AIDS. “Adam is the first person we’ve encountered who can do all the QUEEN catalog without blinking,” said May. “He is a gift from God.” Taylor echoed the guitarist’s sentiments, adding: “[Adam‘s] incredibly musical, and we certainly take anything he says quite seriously.”

This spring, QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT will play their first European dates since the worldwide box office sensation that was the “Bohemian Rhapsody” film. The biopic introduced QUEEN‘s music to new audiences with record-breaking results. Apart from becoming the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, in the U.K., it is also No. 1 biggest-selling film of 2019 on home release.

In a new interview with Billy Sloan of BBC Radio Scotland, legendary vocalist Paul Rodgers reflected on his experience fronting QUEEN between 2004 and 2009. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Brian [May, QUEEN guitarist] said to me, ‘Can we get together and just do a couple of shows for fun in Europe?’ And I said, ‘Well, it sounds good.’ ‘Cause we’d played ‘All Right Now’ together and we played ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, and it sort of made sense at that point in time. They’re very versatile; their music is, I mean, wow. There’s so many great songs that they’ve actually — hits that they’ve got. I said, ‘Sure, let’s just do that. Let’s do a couple of dates and see how we go.’ Well, that couple of dates turned into four years. We toured the world twice, and we made a studio album, so it really got involved. At the end of the day, though, I did think that I was getting too far away from my own kind of music and I wanted to step away from it. But it was a wild and exciting run.”

Regarding his approach to singing songs originally written and recorded by late QUEEN frontman Freddie Mercury, Paul said: “Well, I wondered, really, what people would make of it, but basically I always have followed the music wherever my whole life; I’ve just followed the music. And it seemed to me that when we played together — if we hadn’t had played together, I might have had very much second thoughts. But we had done, and it was such a musical success playing ‘All Right Now’ with the guys — and we also, later on, we did ‘Feel Like Making Love’, we did ‘Wishing Well’, and every one of them, they performed fantastically. Brian‘s a great guitar player, so there’s no problem there. And I said to myself, ‘Now, how do I do this, because I don’t really wanna be stepping into anybody’s shoes. I wanna be myself.’ And actually, Brian Johnson from AC/DC, I’d read an interview by him, and when he was gonna join that band, and the first night on stage, the guitar player said to him, and he looked very nervous, and he was very nervous, so he says in this interview, and he said that, ‘Hey, don’t worry about anything. Just go and be yourself.’ And I’d read that interview, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s what I’ll do. I’m not gonna try and replace anybody, I’m just gonna be myself.’ So what I did was I set out, really, to basically interpret their songs in my way, and that’s really how I handled it.”

Asked what he thinks of Adam Lambert, the 2009 “American Idol” runner-up who is fronting the current incarnation of QUEEN, Paul said: “Well, you know, I think he’s perfect for the band… I haven’t really followed them since then, but from what I’ve seen, he’s great.”

Paul previously discussed his QUEEN stint last month in an interview with TalkShopLive’s The Rock N Roll Channel. When interviewer Steve Harkins noted that Rodgers “energized” and “breathed life” into QUEEN, Paul said: “They hadn’t toured. They’d done lots of one-off shows with various great people — Elton John and George Michael. They’re some great singers, but they never toured with them. And I was able to get them out touring, because they knew that they had the songs, but they just didn’t feel confident enough to get out there and actually, you know, do a tour. And that’s what we did together. And the fans were lovely. They were beautiful.”

Paul‘s latest comments are similar to those he made in a 2019 interview with SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”. At the time, he stated about the experience of fronting QUEEN: “Well, it was a wild ride, I’ll tell you. And it came out of the blue. When Brian asked me if I wanted to do a couple of shows just for fun in Europe, I was pretty taken aback. And I must say my first reaction was, ‘Well, I really don’t see that.’ But then I said to myself, ‘Well, it’s a challenge. Let me see if I can do it. Maybe I’m chickening out here.’ So I did it. And it turned into four years, actually. We toured all over the place. We toured the world twice, and we finished off with a studio album of all-original material. So it was a wild and crazy ride, as they say. And we are still friends, and I love the guys.”

With Rodgers at the mic, QUEEN embarked on two world tours and released an album, “The Cosmos Rocks”, in 2008. They amicably parted ways a year later when Rodgers returned to BAD COMPANY.

“When I sort of joined forces with [QUEEN], they were not touring,” Rodgers recalled to “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”. “They were doing one-off gigs — they were big one-off gigs, but they weren’t touring. And with me, what we did [is] we went out… They wanted to play 50 percent of their music and 50 percent of mine, and I said to them, ‘People haven’t seen QUEEN live for a long time. We should make it QUEEN heavy.’ So we did four or five of my songs… But it was great. It was good.”

Rodgers has said in previous interviews that he performed all of the QUEEN songs in Mercury‘s original keys. “A lot of people drop the keys,” Paul said. “But, to me, the challenge was to do this material the way it was done, but in my interpretation of it.”

The current incarnation of QUEEN, featuring Lambert, was created in 2011 and has gone on several tours, including worldwide runs in 2014-15 and 2017-18.

In a 2014 interview with the Toronto Sun, May and drummer Roger Taylor admitted that their collaboration with Lambert is a better fit than their previous involvement with Rodgers.

“Paul has one of the greatest rock voices but it’s more blues- and soul-orientated, I would have thought,” Taylor told the Toronto Sun. “I would say, with all due respect to Paul, that Adam is more suited to a lot of our material and whereas we had great tours with Paul, I think Adam is more naturally at home with us.” May concurred and added that Lambert‘s remarkable range and flamboyant stage presence are much more in line with those of Mercury. “Yeah, I think the styles match more closely in a sense,” May said. “But we had a great time with Paul, no doubt about it, and it kind of stretched it to a new place and, I think, a thoroughly good experience. But Adam is really… Like us, he has many, many colors, so we can explore some of those strange excursions that QUEEN likes to.”

Adam Lambert has lambasted President Donald Trump for his performance as the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, calling him “a complete joke, a liability, a liar and a cancer.”

The QUEEN singer and “American Idol” runner-up made his comments after hundreds of people were arrested as protesters and police clashed in cities across America following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of Minneapolis police.

On Saturday (May 30),Lambert took to his Instagram to write: “Repeat after me: I will not tell black folks how to feel, protest, or mourn.” He also said in an accompanying message: “#blacklivesmatter #policebrutality I’m scanning through the comments on this post and am appalled by the handful of ignorant, right wing, tone deaf comments that snowball into negative arguments. It’s one thing to have an opinion, but there are a few of you that are no longer welcome on my feed.

“To be clear: I’m not supporting violence and destruction i am supporting the right to be enraged… to refuse to bow down. When it comes to matters of human rights, I refuse to support any opposition.

“Anyone that responds to BLACK LIVES MATTER w ‘All lives matter’ is an asshole. You should know why that’s problematic by now. If you don’t, quit looking at my posts and educate yourself.”

A short time later, Lambert added in a separate post: “Unfollow me if u can’t accept this. Please. You’re not welcome. I’ll be blocking…. ALSO. TRUMP IS A COMPLETE JOKE. FUCK HIM. I don’t care what political party you associate with, but that man isn’t a leader, he’s a liability, a liar and a cancer on this country’s flag.”

Earlier today (Sunday, May 31),Lambert tweeted: “There’s a distinct difference between an organized protest and chaotic looting/vandalism. We shouldn’t let anarchy discredit the movement.

“Police: how about you identify those few individuals (many of whom are white) and not punish the protestors? You’re just proving the point.”

Floyd, an unarmed black man, died on Monday (May 25) as Minneapolis police arrested him outside a convenience store on a report of a counterfeit bill being passed. The 46-year-old was seen on a bystander’s video gasping for breath during an arrest in which an officer knelt on his neck for almost eight minutes. In the footage, Floyd is heard pleading with officers, “I cannot breathe… Don’t kill me,” while the officers ignore his pleas. He eventually stops talking and moving. Video of the killing sparked riots and outrage across the country.

QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT recently recorded a new version of “We Are The Champions” — retitled “You Are The Champions” — as a tribute to workers on the frontline fighting coronavirus. All proceeds made from the song will go towards the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization.

Lambert, drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May first shared the stage during “American Idol” in May 2009 for a performance of “We Are The Champions”. They teamed up again in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast, Ireland for an electrifying eight-minute finale of “The Show Must Go On”, “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” and in the summer of 2012, the singer performed a series of shows with QUEEN across Europe as well as dates in Russia, Ukraine and Poland. They have since completed a number of tours and performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world.

With Reba McEntire one of the biggest female stars in country music, she found herself nurturing an unusual friendship with popstar Gwen Stefani. As both coached on The Voice and even competed against each other, the pair formed a close bond. It also helped that Stefani married country singer Blake Shelton. Welcomed into country music, Stefani even recorded a few duets with her husband. And recently, Reba decided to send a special gift to Stefani that perfectly showcased the bond between country and pop.

Posting a picture on Instagram, Stefani shared a new pair of cowboy boots that Reba sent to her. And knowing her love for funky colors, the country singer made sure to add in some snakeskin that reflected when the light hit it just right. Stefani captioned the post, writing, “My queen Reba sent me the most magical boots. This means so much to me!! Now, where should I wear them first??”

Although the singers shared the stage on The Voice, Reba admitted she would love to get in the studio with Stefani in the future. When walking a red carpet event, the country star said, “It’d be fun.” She added, “Ask her when she comes over here.” The reporter did just that when Stefani made her way down. And when asked, Stefani jumped at the chance, noting she would do anything with Reba.

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Online, fans discussed the idea of a Reba/Stefani collab, insisting, “A duet with Gwen would be amazing. Please make it happen.”

While only just a discussion for now, the idea of Reba and Stefani finding their way to the studio could happen in the future given their love for country music. But for now, it remained only a dream to many fans of both stars.

As for Reba, she looked to escape the spotlight for a few moments. Knowing how hard privacy can be when you are a country music star, the singer revealed that the bathroom was her safe haven. She told Glamour, “My favorite place to just be by myself is on the toilet. I’ll get my phone, my glasses, just go lock the door and sit on the toilet because it’s the quiet place.”

Using the bathroom to get away more than once, Reba declared, “Nobody can reach you, nobody’s going to bother you. But it works every time.”

Just one day after his dramatic departure from 60 Minutes, longtime correspondent Scott Pelley launched an extraordinary attack on CBS leadership, accusing executives of pressuring journalists, undermining editorial standards, and steering one of America’s most respected news programs away from its core principles.

The accusations have intensified an already growing crisis surrounding the future of 60 Minutes, a broadcast that for decades has been considered one of the most influential institutions in television journalism.

“I Refused to Do It”

In a lengthy public statement following his exit, Pelley claimed network management attempted to influence coverage of politically sensitive stories by pushing information he believed had not been properly verified.

According to the veteran journalist, he repeatedly rejected those requests and refused to include material he could not independently confirm.

Without identifying specific stories, Pelley suggested that newsroom decisions were increasingly being driven by forces outside traditional journalistic standards.

The allegations immediately sparked concern among media observers, who viewed the comments as one of the strongest public criticisms ever made by a former 60 Minutes correspondent.

Claims of Political Influence

Pelley also alleged that political figures were being granted unusual influence over editorial decisions.

He argued that elected officials and powerful figures should never have a role in determining who conducts interviews or how stories are produced.

While he stopped short of naming individuals directly, his remarks appeared to reference growing internal disputes surrounding recent high-profile interviews aired by CBS News.

The comments added fuel to an already heated debate over whether the network is undergoing a fundamental shift in how its journalism is produced.

A Newsroom in Turmoil

The controversy comes amid one of the biggest shakeups in 60 Minutes history.

In recent weeks, several senior producers, correspondents, and longtime newsroom leaders have departed the program as CBS News undergoes a major restructuring effort.

Among the most notable exits were veteran figures who had spent years helping shape the identity of the broadcast.

Pelley described the departures as a devastating blow to the program, arguing that the show’s leadership and culture had been fundamentally altered.

According to him, the changes have left many longtime journalists questioning the direction of the organization.

Public Clash With New Leadership

Tensions reportedly reached a breaking point during a contentious staff meeting earlier this week.

Multiple reports suggest Pelley openly challenged newly appointed 60 Minutes executive producer Nick Bilton and criticized the network’s broader leadership strategy.

The confrontation quickly became one of the most talked-about media stories in the country.

Within days, Pelley was gone.

His departure immediately fueled speculation that the dispute reflected a larger power struggle taking place behind the scenes at CBS News.

The Fight Over the Future of ‘60 Minutes’

At the center of the conflict is a fundamental question:

What should 60 Minutes be in its next chapter?

Network executives argue that changes are necessary to modernize operations and prepare the program for a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Critics fear those changes could weaken the editorial independence that made the broadcast a journalistic powerhouse for more than half a century.

Pelley clearly falls into the second camp.

In his statement, he warned that the values he once associated with 60 Minutes are disappearing and claimed the program is becoming increasingly unrecognizable.

An Emotional Goodbye

Despite his blistering criticism, Pelley ended his message on a personal note.

Rather than focusing on executives, he thanked the producers, reporters, editors, and staff members he worked alongside during nearly four decades at CBS News.

After 37 years with the network, his final words reflected gratitude for colleagues he described as the foundation of his career.

But the questions raised by his departure remain unresolved.

As CBS News faces mounting scrutiny and 60 Minutes enters one of the most turbulent periods in its history, the fallout from Scott Pelley’s explosive accusations may be only beginning.

In February 2020, the air over Sydney’s ANZ Stadium wasn’t just thick with summer heat—it was charged with the weight of history and the urgency of compassion. Australia was reeling from one of the most devastating bushfire seasons on record. And on that night, for the Fire Fight Australia benefit concert, Queen + Adam Lambert decided to do something no one thought possible, or perhaps even advisable: they would attempt to **resurrect a ghost, note for sacred note.**

They didn’t just play Queen songs. They embarked on a meticulous, emotional pilgrimage, recreating **Freddie Mercury’s entire 22-minute Live Aid set in its exact 1985 sequence.** From the opening a cappella lines of “Bohemian Rhapsody” to the final, frantic drum salvo of “We Will Rock You”/”We Are the Champions,” it was a stunning act of historical reverence. Adam Lambert, with immense intelligence and respect, did not impersonate Freddie; he became a **channeler**, honoring the vocal blueprints while making space for the spirit of the original.

Then came the moment that folded time.

As the iconic call-and-response “Ay-Oh” chant began, the giant screens flickered. Suddenly, in gleaming, visceral clarity, **Freddie Mercury was there.** Not as a faded archival clip, but as the Live Aid icon in his white vest and jeans, his fist in the air, his face a masterpiece of charismatic command. The virtual Freddie led the chant, his “Ay!” answered by a roaring “Oh!” from 75,000 voices in 2020—a stadium echoing a stadium from 35 years prior.

The fusion was alchemical. Lambert graciously stepped back, becoming the audience’s lead witness, as Brian May and Roger Taylor locked eyes with the screen, their expressions a storm of joy, sorrow, and disbelief. The boundary between 1985 and 2020 dissolved completely. They were, for that chant, a band of four again.

After the final chord rang out, a visibly moved Brian May approached the microphone, his voice thick with emotion. **”I don’t think I’ve felt quite like that since Live Aid,”** he confessed, a statement that served as both the highest praise for the present and the deepest homage to the past.

The triumph was twofold. Artistically, it was a breathtaking demonstration of legacy as a living, breathing force. But its true power was humanitarian. This sacred piece of rock history was not exhumed for nostalgia’s sake, but **redeployed as an engine of mercy.** The performance became the emotional core of a concert that raised over **$11 million** for bushfire relief, proving that the anthems of one generation’s triumph could become the lifeline for another’s tragedy.

That night, Queen didn’t just play a setlist. They performed a **miracle of memory**, using the past to heal the present, and leaving no doubt that the most powerful anthems are those that can both raise the roof and raise the fallen.

She keeps a low profile most of the time, having risen to phenomenal fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009.

But Susan Boyle turned heads on Tuesday as she was spotted out and about in London.

The 59-year-old chanteuse was seen stepping out in the West End with pals, looking jazzy in a fur coat, a golden silk blouse and jeans.

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Jaunty: Susan Boyle looked jazzy in a fur coat, silk blouse and beret as she made a rare appearance in London ahead of filming the BGT Christmas special

Susan added a light grey beret to the jaunty look and simple oval spectacles.

Her blouse featured a pussy-bow detailing at the neck and she wore a silver necklace around her neck.

Susan wore a soft palette of make-up, including a touch of rouge to her cheeks.

She was seen disappearing into a posh hotel with her companions, the doorman opening the entryway for her as she made her way inside.

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Rare appearance: She keeps a low profile most of the time, having risen to phenomenal fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009

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There she is: Susan turned heads on Tuesday as she was spotted out and about in London

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Glamour-puss: The 59-year-old chanteuse was seen stepping out in the West End with pals

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Chic: Her blouse featured a pussy-bow detailing at the neck and she wore a silver necklace around her neck

Susan is in town to perform at the Christmas special for BGT, which was set to begin filming on Tuesday.

But the production has had to shut down for the time being, after a COVID-19 outbreak on set.

Bosses have postponed production for the festive special as ‘a number of crew members’ are ordered to self-isolate in accordance with government guidelines, with pictures of the site on Monday showing the measures in place.

The outbreak has also forced judges Alesha Dixon, Ashley Banjo and David Walliams into self-isolation, as they wait for their own test results, having come into direct contact with one of the infected crew members.

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Wrapped up warm: Susan added a light grey beret to the jaunty look and simple oval spectacles

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Arrival: Susan wore a soft palette of make-up, including a touch of rouge to her cheeks

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Making an entrance: She was seen disappearing into a posh hotel with her companions

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Offloading: The doorman was seen opening the entryway for her as she made her way inside

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BGT on ice! BGT’s Christmas Special has been halted a day before filming is set to start as crew members contract COVID-19… forcing Alesha Dixon, Ashley Banjo and David Walliams into self-isolation

A source told The Sun: ‘[The judges] will have to take a test before they can stop quarantining. The likelihood is they’ll come back negative, but they are taking no chances and can’t be too safe right now.

‘It’s the last thing BGT bosses would have wanted on the first day of the new production.’

Fourth judge, Amanda Holden, was said to also be at home, but it’s understood she did not come into contact with the crew member like the others.

A representative for BGT told MailOnline: ‘As a result of a positive Covid-19 result received yesterday we have implemented our protocols and a number of crew members are self-isolating at home.

‘As a result, we are unable to continue filming our BGT Christmas Special today and have taken the decision to postpone.

‘The safety of all those involved in the show is our number one priority and we follow extensive Covid-19 related procedures to adhere to all Government guidelines.’

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Standing by: Bosses have postponed production for the festive special as ‘a number of crew members’ are ordered to self-isolate in accordance with government guidelines, with pictures of the site on Monday showing the measures in place

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She’s fine: Fourth judge, Amanda Holden, was said to also be at home, but it’s understood she did not come into contact with the crew member like the others

It had been reported that the Christmas Special was due to begin filming on Tuesday ahead of its broadcast over the festive period.

A source told The Sun: ‘It’s the last thing Britain’s Got Talent bosses would have wanted on day one of the new production.

‘Everything was ready to go so they’re gutted it’s immediately ground to a halt. Everyone was told to stay away and those involved now must self-isolate.

‘They can take no chances, particularly with some of the returning winners potentially vulnerable.’

Susan Boyle made a surprise appearance during the Britain’s Got Talent final but  announced she suffered a minor stroke last April.

The Britain’s Got Talent legend, 62, who found fame on the programme in 2009, was left doubting whether she could perform after her health deteriorated.

She returned to the stage singing her original audition song I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables with the cast of the West End production.

Susan also joined the cast in performing a rendition of Do You Hear The People Sing?

After the performance, she said: ‘It feels great (to be here). It’s extra special for me, last April I suffered a minor stroke and I fought to be back on stage and I have done it.’

Judge Simon said: ‘Susan, we owe you so much, I knew you weren’t well but if anyone was going to come back, you were going to come back, it wouldn’t be the same without you.’

Susan shocked fans back in 2009 with a shiver-worthy Britain’s Got Talent audition, catapulting to fame on the talent show and raking in a net-worth of over £20M.

Since bagging second place in Simon Cowell’s long-running talent show, she released the UK’s best-selling record of all time and has even made TV cameos.

Susan has lived in the same council house for the last 60 years, growing up in the West Lothian semi-detached home.

Not the usualy flashy display that often come from celebrities, the simple abode does hold a lot of sentimental value.

She wasn’t keen to swap it for a more lavish residence either upon achieving fame and fortune after Britain’s Got Talent, instead extending it.

Speaking on her decision previously, she told OK! magazine: ‘It’s to do with the memories of your house and your upbringing, you need to take stock of things and maybe see where you come from and where your roots lie.’

‘It’s best to be grounded and with your roots. It keeps you grounded and prevents you from saying things maybe you shouldn’t say.’

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Scary: The Britain’s Got Talent legend, 62, who found fame on the programme in 2009, was left doubting whether she could perform after her health deteriorated

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Talented: She returned to the stage singing her original audition song I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables with the cast of the West End production (pictured with Lucie Jones)

Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn was crowned the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2023 on Sunday evening.

Dancer Lilliana Clifton, 13, and 14-year-old magician Cillian O’Connor placed in second and third respectively – but missed out on the title.

Viggo scooped the £250,000 prize and a spot on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance.

However, audience members appeared to boo Viggo, while social media erupted as viewers claimed the talent show was fixed.

After technical issues and a series of switch-offs during Saturday evening’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-final, ITV could be forgiven for crossing fingers and toes as the grand final of their long-running flagship kicked off on Sunday evening.

After a tense semi-final singer Amy Lou was joined by magician Cillian O’Connor, acrobats Duo Odyssey, dance troupe Ghetto Kids, dancers Lillianna Clifton and Musa Motha, opera singer Malakai Bayoh, singers Olivia Lynes and Travis George and comedians Tonikaku and Viggo Venn.

33-year-old Viggo not only donned his now-iconic hi-vis vest but forced head judge Simon Cowell into wearing a matching one as rose petals were thrown over the pair

Judge Alesha Dixon told him: ‘You’ve captivated the nation, they love you.’

Bruno Tonioli added: ‘I think your physical comedy is world-class, you have created one of the most memorable characters since Mr Bean.’

And Simon was full of praise for the funnyman, telling him: ‘At least you didn’t make me look stupid tonight. I have never ever met an act like you in my life, I will admit it, I really really love you now.’

Viggo called back to his original audition at the end of his performance, stripping off his jacket to Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’ to reveal another hi-vis vest.

And when asked why he has so many of the jackets, he told co-host Declan Donnelly: ‘I wear so many high-vis because it’s really cold in Norway.’

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Winner: Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn has been crowned the winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2023

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One more time: Viggo scooped the £250,000 prize and a spot on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance

While many took to social media to praise Viggo for his win, some criticised him online, with one penning: ‘Nothing irritates me more than when complete JOKE ACT wins a competition’

Before the show aired, Simon explained how he hoped the programme would help the contestants build better lives for themselves.

He said: ‘I think you’ve got two things, you want to make a show which people hopefully will enjoy watching. And secondly, you want to give whoever it is that opportunity, hopefully, for things to get better in their lives after they’ve auditioned. I think where things have changed a lot from where we first started is it always used to be about the end prize.’

While many took to social media to praise Viggo for his win, some criticised him online, with one penning: ‘Nothing irritates me more than when complete JOKE ACT wins a competition’

Another wrote: ‘This man wore a hi-vis on a talent show and came away with £250k. Fair play’

A third added: ‘Audience are rightfully booing. Viggo Venn has zero talent. I hate the British public’

Susan Boyle has revealed she plans to retire next year after recording her final album, four years after a stroke left her unable to sing.

The singer, 65, recently launched her return to the spotlight with new campaigns for Irn-Bru and Cornetto, and has now shared she wants to disappear from public life when she completes her new record, and a biopic about her journey.

Susan became a global star when she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, but has since shared she struggled with her mental health during her time on the show.

The star also opened up on her health struggles after suffering a stroke which impacted her voice and singing ability.

After her own struggles with fame post-BGT, Susan called for better support for reality TV contestants.

She said: ‘Back then, I had no support. It was extremely hard.’

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Susan Boyle has revealed she plans to retire next year after recording her final album, four years after a stroke left her unable to sing

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Susan also spoke to The Sun about her 2022 stroke which left her unable to speak or sing, sharing she had to undergo speech therapy to regain her voice.

She said: ‘I never thought I would be able to come this far. I’ve had a lot of encouragement and the public have been so loving to me.

‘I have had a lot of speech therapy. It was difficult at first, but after the first few weeks, my voice slowly started to come back. I have been having a lot of vocal lessons, too, for my singing.

‘It still needs some work, but I am sure my singing voice will come back. I am taking wee baby steps. If you go too fast, too soon, you go down a hole. It took a while for my confidence to come back with my music. But I am getting there. Slowly.’

BGT judge Simon Cowell recently reflected on Susan’s viral audition, and the moment when he appeared to laugh at her before hearing her incredible vocals.

At the time he told Extra: ‘Susan is a real character, and I think at the corner of my eye, I must have seen her messing around in the wings or something because I thought she was a comedian, a standup comedian.

‘And, yeah, there is that famous awful look between me and Piers. And that’s what we were like on the day.’

He also told the Tales From The Celebrity Trenches podcast: ‘I think of all the looks I’ve ever remembered, that might be the worst. And I was just as bad. We all were.

‘And then, you know, thank God for her, it all worked out well. And, of course, I had the ability to cut all that stuff out, but it was a bit of a wake-up call. Which is, you can’t judge a book by its cover.’

In response to Simon’s comments, Susan added to The Daily Star: ‘I’m in a very happy place in my life. I’ve healed a lot over the years.

‘I know what people thought about me back then. It was a lesson he learned from, maybe everyone has learned that leading with kindness, no matter what, is the way forward?’

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The singer became a global star when she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, but has spent several years undergoing speech therapy after suffering a stroke

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Susan recently launched her return to the spotlight with new campaigns for Irn-Bru and Cornetto (pictured)

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After her own struggles with fame post-BGt, Susan also called for better support for reality TV contestants

Susan has been hailed as a national treasure ever since she delivered a history-making performance of I Dreamed A Dream on Britain’s Got Talent back in 2009.

And she appears to be in the middle of a rebrand as she continues to build up her social media status.

Part of her unexpected transformation has included a dazzling new makeover which she unveiled on her 65th birthday, showcasing new blonde locks.

Nowadays, the BGT icon enjoys plush lunches with her friends and attends plenty of star-studded events when she isn’t busy singing.

Susan is regularly seen rubbing shoulders with celebrities including Ant McPartlin, Lewis Capaldi and Sam Fender and flaunting their encounters online.

The singer-turned-influencer is an avid user on Instagram, posting snippets of her lavish lifestyle to her 176,000 followers.

As a thank you to her fans for supporting her over the last 17 years, Susan released her very own merchandise this week, selling branded clothing and accessories.

It means Susan may be able to earn a killing, with her products priced between £13 and £50.

‘I’ve got a little birthday surprise for you all,’ she told her loyal followers. ‘As I celebrate my 65th birthday today, I’m so happy to finally share my very first official merchandise range with you. I’ve loved putting this together and I hope you’ll find something you like.

‘It’s available to order now for UK delivery, and EU shipping will be opening in the next few days, with the US following in the next few weeks, and the rest of the world shortly after.

‘There are also more exciting items on the way, so do keep an eye on the shop over the coming days.

‘Thank you for all the love you’ve shown me today and over the years. It truly means everything to me, and this felt like a lovely way to celebrate together. Have a wee look here at my official shop: susanboylemusic.com.’

She has already been given the ultimate seal of approval from Liam Gallagher after he dedicated the song Stand By Me to her at an Oasis gig last year.

Before the song began, the Mancunian singer announced into the mic: ‘This one’s for Susan Boyle.’

Susan shared a message to thank the band for the dedication on Instagram following the moment.

She penned: ‘Thanks so much for the dedication @liamgallagher. You’ve made this old girl’s day. Hope to see you and the rest of @Oasis at Wembley in September for a wee bit of poznan. Big love to you all.’