Who'd have thought that a rather frumpy, middle aged lady who lives alone with only her cat for company could become a global sensation in just over a week? Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle's late mum wanted her daughter to make a go of it with her singing. What a shame she didn't live to see her daughter conquer the world.

It's interesting though that it's precisely because she looks like the last person you'd ever expect to hear delivering those fabulous renditions that she's become such a phenomenon. It just goes to prove that old adage you can't judge a book by its cover.

And perhaps it also reflects something about ourselves. Because there's something heart-warming and magical about seeing someone who appears to have the odds stacked against them, triumphing in this way. Perhaps our ability to revel in that fact means, despite the spiteful, cruel and greedy things which seem to hog the headlines these days, there's hope for us after all.

There's been lots of speculation about how much her sudden fame will affect Susan. Will the showbiz types change her images? How will she cope with the new life that lies ahead? I only hope that, whatever they or she decide to do, this opportunity will bring the happiness and satisfaction her mum so clearly desired for her...