Scots singing sensation Susan Boyle has sold millions of records and become a global star. But since her rise to fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2009 she’s dedicated lots of her time to supporting Scottish charities.
Last year, Susan, from Blackburn, West Lothian, launched Poppyscotland’s Scottish Poppy Appeal, which raised more than £2.5million. And she’s also supported numerous projects run by the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund
(SCIAF), as well as various local charity initiatives across the country.
Speaking about her involvement with SCIAF, Susan said: “It’s been a charity which is close to my heart as my mother used to have their wee boxes in the house,” she said. “Just before she passed away, she began collecting for SCIAF so this brings back a lot of memories for me. It’s very personal and there’s a strong message of hope.”
Yesterday, after weeks of military style planning and the best kept secret ever, we announced that Susan Boyle has joined forces with Save the Children and her debut single ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ with Elvis Presley is being released on Sunday 8th December 2013 worldwide.
Susan Boyle Christmas single: Little Scot Rhys steals the show as he appears in video for star's new song
THE five-year-old dresses up as Elvis for the song which features Subo duetting with the King of Rock and Roll
Little Rhys Smith shows the moves that wowed SuBo
David McNie
HE is just five years old and, to be honest, would much rather be Batman than The King.
But little rocker Rhys Smith is about to become a global sensation after stealing the show in the video for singing superstar Susan Boyle’s amazing Christmas single.
Thanks to digital technology, SuBo will be heard singing with Elvis Presley on her charity version of O Come, All Ye Faithful.
Her production team were anxious to find a mini superstar to appear alongside her. And little Rhys – a primary two pupil from St Rose of Lima school in Glasgow’s east end – fitted the bill.
He pulled on a sparkly white jumpsuit, a black Elvis-style quiff wig and some rocker attitude to do the honours.
His proud mum Stacey, 40, of Garthamlock, said: “Rhys didn’t actually know who Susan was and he had never heard of Elvis so he doesn’t understand that it’s a big deal to be appearing with them.
“He loves superheroes and WWE wrestling but he’s a bit young to be into music or singers. He does love dancing to Gangnam Style though.
“I’ve told him that his late granddad Rab would be over the moon. He was a huge Elvis Presley fan.
“Now we’re all fans of Susan’s and I know what we’ll be buying everyone for Christmas this year.”
Rhys was one of 120 pupils from St Rose’s to take part in a special nativity play which was filmed for the video.
Susan Boyle with children during rehearsals and production of a music video for Oh Come All Ye Faithful, for Save The Children
Sunday Mail
The kids and school staff were all sworn to secrecy over the filming until Susan revealed details of her forthcoming release at a press conference in London last week.
St Rose’s was selected for the shoot for its work in implementing the FAST programme – a scheme developed by Save the Children to bring parents, children, teachers and staff together for the good of the whole community.
The single isn’t due for release until December 8 but Susan, 52, from Blackburn, West Lothian, is donating all royalties to Save the Children after being named as one of its ambassadors.
Mum-of-three Stacey said: “Susan was really nice to the kids. She was talking to all of them.
“None of us have actually seen the whole video yet and we can’t wait. It’s amazing to think that people are going to see Rhys all over the world.”
Elvis died in 1977 but the new single uses specialised digital technology to blend his voice with Susan’s.
The Scot, who shot to stardom on TV talent show Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, is the first British artist to record a posthumous duet with Presley.
Susan said that the chance to sing with one of her heroes was “beyond her wildest dreams” and praised the recording geniuses who made it happen.
Other stars who have sung with The King since his death include Celine Dion, Olivia Newton John, LeAnn Rimes and Elvis’s daughter Lisa Marie.
The new Christmas duet is eagerly awaited by millions of SuBo and Elvis fans so the video is guaranteed to be a download smash. But her Glasgow co-stars are taking the prospect of international fame in their stride.
Three-year-old snow fairy Ellie-May Healy, from Ruchazie, will melt a million hearts when she’s seen racing up the aisle to get to the stage.
Susan Boyle with children of St Rose of Lima Primary School in Glasgow
Sunday Mail
And brother and sister team Jodie and David McConville, from Craigend, will charm every fan. Jodie, who’s seven, has a starring role as Mary while her six-year-old brother plays a lesser known part – a snail.
Their mum Mary, 32, said: “I watched some of the filming and I was filling up when Susan started to sing. You could just close your eyes and listen to her for ages.
“At one point, Jodie whispers in Susan’s ear and she starts to laugh.
“She told her that her dad is really lazy, that he lies in his bed while mum does all the cooking and cleaning but that’s a bit unfair. Her poor dad works 12-hours shifts.”
St Rose’s headteacher Kathleen Shiels, 48, said she couldn’t be more proud of her pupils and her school.
She said: “We had a 50-strong production team here during the October holidays and our conference room was transformed into Susan’s dressing room.
“But all the staff and parents chipped in and worked so hard. It was marvellous.
“Between Susan Boyle and Elvis...it doesn’t get any bigger than that.
“Susan was lovely, very quiet and shy, but really keen to help. We’re hoping she’ll come back to see our school production of Annie soon.”
Neil Mathers, Save the Children’s Scottish chief, said the entire community had come together to help out during filming.
He added: “St Rose of Lima is a wonderful school, Susan was really impressed.
“Having her as a Save the Children ambassador will be invaluable to raising awareness of our work in Scotland, as well as what we do across the world.
“She said it herself that the children are the stars of the video. Here’s to a Christmas No1.”
The Event - Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice Variety Show
Subo: ‘the modern day fairytale’. I’ll confess, having never seen her perform live before, I was a wee bit of a cynic. It wasn’t that I didn’t know she could sing, I just wasn’t sure she was thatgood. I stand(ing ovation) corrected. She was incredible. She filled the audience and the Armadillo at the Prince and Princess of Wales 30th Anniversary Variety Show with - as Darius would say - a whole lot of love.
Talking of Darius, he was part of the star-studded line up too. I caught up with him backstage - and it was one almighty catch up. Darius and I knew each other when we were 16 and haven’t seen each other since! That’s more years than I care to think about! It was great to see him and we’ve planned to have a proper blether soon as he’s in the UK for the next year, performing in the new West End musical, From Here to Eternity.
The event was a true variety, with some of my favourite Glasgow performers: Karen Dunbar, Eddie (Sing-me-a-lullaby) Reid, Craig Hill, Des Clarke and the super cute, talented teen Taliia Storm.