Susan Boyle case highlights bullying problems

19 million people tuned in to watch the Britain’s Got Talent final – a nail biting finish to the talent show that has had the nation hooked and saw bookies favourite Susan Boyle come runner up to dance act Diversity.

The strain of being in the fickle public eye has left surprise act Susan exhausted, and the amateur singing sensation was this week admitted to the Priory following doctor’s orders. The 48 year old has been branded ‘the Scottish Spinster’ by the media, with red tops determined to create as many hurdles as possible for now world-renowned singer.

‘Su-Bo’, as she’s been nicknamed, has often in her short celebrity tenure been the subject of ridiculing insults masquerading as national headlines. Unfortunately this adult and equally malicious bullying is a parallel of Susan’s difficult childhood – growing up in Blackburn, a small village in West Lothian, Susan was constantly teased by other children.

Nicknamed as ‘Susie Simple’, she told The Mirror of her childhood struggle with bullies: “I was born with a disability and that made me a target for bullies. I was called names because of my fuzzy hair and because I struggled in class.”

Highlighting the issue, Susan explained that, from her childhood experience, admitting to being bullied is difficult: “I told the teachers, but because it was more verbal than physical I could never prove anything. But words often hurt more than cuts and bruises and the scars are still there.”

As Scotland’s leading child welfare charity, CHILDREN 1^ST emphasizes, bullying encompasses a whole range of problems – and victims often feel, as Susan did, powerless to stop it. While each school by law has to have an anti-bullying policy, it’s often difficult to pinpoint the best way to tackle such a delicate situation. CHILDREN 1^ST suggest parents talk through the bullying with their children, support them in what they’d like to do about it, and inform the child of any action they plan to take.

CHILDREN 1^ST’s free ParentLine Scotland helpline (0808 800 2222) is available to all parents who are struggling with how to cope with their child being bullied, and can provide helpful information and advice to callers.

For Susan, the torment she suffered from bullies was what spurred her bid to stardom and global success. Having already appeared on Oprah, next week Susan flies to Prague to record tracks with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and is tipped by the Sunday Mirror to make £6m in the US. With a possible cameo in Ugly Betty and Simon Cowell in talks to sign her to his Sony BMG record label, the signing sensation has certainly put her bullies in their place.

She may have been ‘Susie Simple’ at school, but triumphant Susan has the last word: “Look at me now – I’ve got the last laugh.”

CHILDREN 1^ST is one the People’s Postcode Lottery’s chosen charities, with funds received so far enough to cover the running costs of ParentLine for 24 months. Find out more at www.postcodelottery.com and www.children1st.org.uk