Susan Boyle fans backed her rivals in 'wrong number' mix-up but result still stands

THE production company behind Britain's Got Talent yesterday denied claims that Susan Boyle's unexpected loss was down to people calling the wrong telephone number to vote for her.

Several YouTube clips featuring the Scot's final performance showed the numbers for her rival acts, prompting fears that her worldwide fanbase had inadvertently voted Boyle into second place.

However, the show's producers, Talkback Thames, said the error would "not have made a difference" to the overall result, pointing out that the overwhelming majority of viewers would have watched the show live on ITV1 which broadcast the correct phone numbers.

In any case, the company added, those watching from outside the UK on YouTube would not have been able to register their vote.

YouTube, the online video sharing website, has been instrumental in helping former church volunteer Boyle win worldwide fame.

Mary O'Reilly, head of communications at Talkback Thames, said: "It would not have made a difference to the vote. Only calls originating from the UK are accepted – anyone trying to vote from the US would not have been able to."

A spokesman for ITV said it could not be held responsible for any phone numbers posted on "unofficial websites".

Boyle, 48, from Blackburn, West Lothian, is continuing to receive treatment at a London clinic, where she was admitted on Sunday night after suffering exhaustion.

Those involved in the show have expressed the hope that she will be home in Scotland in a matter of days. But the chief medical officer of the Priory, where it is understood Boyle is recuperating, emphasised yesterday that someone in her condition would not be released after such a short period of time, contrary to speculation.

Professor Chris Thompson pointed out the clinic is "not a rest home and not a spa. It is a psychiatric hospital".

He added: "I cannot talk specifically about Susan Boyle, but any admission to a psychiatric hospital for a matter of days is, in my opinion, a failed admission because either it was unnecessary in the first place or the job hasn't been done fully."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that just 16 complaints were received by Ofcom following the programme's finale, which attracted 17.3 million viewers.

Most of the complaints are understood to relate to the winning act, dance troupe Diversity. By contrast, some 331 complaints were made about the previous night's edition of the show, a semi-final which saw Hollie Steel, a ten-year-old performer, burst into tears.

In a statement, Ofcom vowed to assess every complaint against the Broadcasting Code. It said: "A number of people have contacted Ofcom to make comments and complaints about aspects of the programme.

"As with all such cases, our assessment will help us to decide whether we need to investigate or not. However, at present, we are not investigating."

As the row over how ITV and Talkback Thames handled Boyle's newfound fame continued, one of the show's judges denied claims that the Scottish singer had been exploited.

Amanda Holden blamed "falsehoods" in the media for triggering Boyle's reported anxiety attacks, and said the team behind the show was "very loyal" and "we love Susan very much".

"All the contestants that appear on the show are extraordinarily well looked after," she added. "She is getting the best support she could possibly be getting at the moment."

She told CNN's Larry King Live that Boyle's brother, Gerry, had indicated the singer "wants to come home within a matter of days rather than weeks" and was "excited about the prospect of seeing what is out there".

Boyle, who remains scheduled to take part in a nationwide tour beginning on 12 June, also received messages of support from Kylie Minogue.