It was nerve-racking to begin with but once I started and the audience accepted it I relaxed. It has been surreal. I didn't realise this would be the reaction I just got on with it. I can hardly remember what happened. I had my eyes closed most of the time. It really didn't dawn on me what was happening.
I did it all for my late mum. I wanted to show I could do something with my life.

On her first performance in the contest, as quoted in "Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle won't get makeover says Amanda Holden" in The Mirror (17 April 2009)