Susan Boyle’s dramatic rise to fame stunned everyone 16 years ago, but the Britain’s Got Talent icon has stayed true to her roots.

The powerful singer, 63, became an instant hit and propelled herself into the limelight with her breathtaking performance during the show’s auditions in 2009. She went all the way to the final of the talent contest, winning the hearts of the nation. However, it was Diversity who was crowned the series winner.

Despite not bagging top spot, Susan went on to rake in an estimated £22million during her climb to fame and fortune. And while many would have expected her to splash the cash on a lavish property and leaving her past behind, Susan opted to glam up the childhood council house in West Lothian, Scotland, she lived in for more than 60 years.

Susan has previously explained her reasons behind staying put. She told OK!: “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.”

She ended up buying the former council house, opting for a huge makeover to turn it into a stunning modern living space. The house, which looks somewhat modest at first glance, boasts an inside full of modern design, with each room featuring a different colour palette.

The entryway to the home had a collection of Jesus Christ ornaments in front of Susan’s piano room – that room was also adorned with many religious artefacts. It also showed off a number of musical memorabilia. Specific spaces were reserved for her own biggest achievements and moments, including a framed record from her one million album sales to a picture of her and Peter Kay from their Comic Relief single.

Revamping the rooms, Susan chose a large grey and checked sofa to adorn her similar-coloured living room and kitchen area. In images, the kitchen is seen to have been fitted with the latest appliances. It also showcased a shiny cream-coloured floor which perfectly complemented the colour scheme in the room.

She also told the publication how her dressing room had “a bit of history attached to it”.

She said: “Three sisters used to sleep in what is now my dressing room. Bridie, Cathy and myself. Mary had gotten married and left the nest long ago. So when they all left I was left with this room. This used to be my room.”

After its revamp, the room was home to a hoard of costume jewellery and fancy clothes, including one of her few major purchases – a fur coat. The revamp in 2022 came as Susan explained she was “beginning to lose things”.

Speaking with the Edinburgh Evening News at the time, she said: “The house has been needing doing up for some time, I was beginning to lose things in it. I’ve had the kitchen done, the living room papered, the floors done and a summerhouse put out the back.”

She labelled the property a “wee retreat” for herself. “It will be a wee retreat for me, although I haven’t used it yet, with all the rain. It makes the place look bigger and more homely.”

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