Reactions to the fourth semi final

May 29, 2009

‘This is like a soap opera,’ said Simon, shaking his head in disbelief before the show last night.

He’d just heard that all the papers were doing yet more front page stories on Susan Boyle, and admitted to me: ‘I have never known anything like this in my whole career. It’s crazy.’

To be involved in a show that is being watched, analysed, commented on, and lambasted by people all over the world is a strange, slightly unsettling experience.

And that’s just for we judges, who are all very used to the media game after more than 75 years experience between us in the business.

So God knows how poor Susan is feeling (and the rest of the final contestants for that matter, too).

The level of attention they’re getting is just unbelievable.

And these aren’t professionals, they are amateurs who nobody had ever heard of a few weeks ago.

But we’re nearly at the end now, with just one day to go until the Final.

And what a final it’s going to be!

Everyone has always assumed it’s going to be a one-horse race since Susan captured the public imagination with that stunning audition performance seven weeks ago.

But anything can happen on a live show, and it will be fascinating to see how they all react to the incredible pressure pouring on their heads.

I loved last night’s show. It was funny, warm, moving and hilarious.

Julian Smith is a stunning saxophone player, and has a real chance to cause a shock tomorrow night. He’s cool, good-looking, humble, and has a fantastic natural talent - a lethal cocktail.

And I was thrilled to see 2 Grand get there too. There was barely a dry eye in the studio when they sang. Such lovely, genuine people, and they sing so beautifully together.

As for all the furore surrounding Susan, my bet is that she will respond with the performance of her life at the Final. This is one tough lady who has had to fight since the day she was born, and there is no way she’s going to quit now as some of the papers seem to be suggesting, trust me.

The sheer level of abuse she’s getting continues to shock and appall me. Only yesterday, Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood said she ’sings as bad as she looks.’ He called her ‘awful’, and said he ‘wanted to smash the TV’ after her semi-final.

What a disgusting thing to say.

Perhaps he’s just sore that his own dream of having any kind of career in America has never reached first base as they say in baseball.

Either way, pick on someone your own size Horwood -  like me, if you’ve got the guts.

Susan’s going to be a major star whatever happens tomorrow. And I for one hope she absolutely nails it on the night, and shoves all these vile critics’ disgraceful attacks down their throats.

Will she win?

In many ways, Susan Boyle’s already won.

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