Simon Cowell reveals shock act he credits for making Britain’s Got Talent a global success

SIMON Cowell has credited one act with being responsible for the global success of his Got Talent TV format.

The talent show boss said the singer's first appearance on Britain's Got Talent was the sole reason he was able to sell the show to more than 30 countries.

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Cowell said the star's first audition in Glasgow came at a crucial time as social media was just taking off and it was seen by more than 500 million people within a few days.

The performance led to huge demand for the show from TV channels all over the globe and Got Talent has been named the world's most successful reality TV format ever by Guinness World Records.

And Simon told how that success is down to the life-changing viral performance from Susan Boyle back in 2009.

Boyle, of Blackburn, West Lothian, auditioned for the ITV series at the age of 47 and revealed she lived alone with her cat and had never been kissed.

She took to the stage wearing a gold frock in front of a sceptical audience and judging panel and stunned them with her incredible performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables.

Cowell, 65, said: "No one knew who this lady was.

"She was from Scotland, a little village, and she goes on Britain’s Got Talent and within 48 hours the clip had 500 million views.

"You have to think about that and go 'it’s hard to describe, but it’s the most unbelievable feeling.'

"We sold the show to 30 more countries after that. It was unbelievable."

Cowell was speaking to US entertainment site Deadline about the success of the talent show format to mark the 20th anniversary of America's Got Talent.

Britain's Got Talent debuted in 2007 and versions of the show have since been broadcast in multiple countries including Iran, Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

Cowell has previously said Boyle's audition is his favourite of all time and it taught him to "never judge a book by its cover".

Boyle, now 64, was catapulted to fame after her audition and has since released eight albums and sold over 20 million records.

Earlier this month she revealed she is to make a musical comeback after fearing she would never sing again following a stroke.

The Scots singer has returned to the recording studio for the first time in six years to work on new material.

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In April 2022 she suffered a major stroke which left her unable to speak and sing properly, with significant muscular weakness down one side.

After undergoing intensive vocal coaching lessons, which helped restore her speech and singing voice, she is now planning to release new music and go on tour again.