DRAPED in dowdy clothes, with hair askew and eyebrows like plump caterpillars, it was the contrast between Susan Boyle's unconventional look and her sublime voice that wowed the world.
But now, as stardom beckons, the middle-aged spinster has spun a new style.
In a makeover, the Britain's Got Talent contestant – who has attracted more than 100 million hits on YouTube – has exchanged the matronly flats for striking heels, cast off the cardigan for a trendy black leather jacket and dyed her grey hair chestnut brown.
The eyebrows have been trimmed and tamed with the whole ensemble set off with the addition of a Burberry-style checked scarf.
The 47-year-old's greying hair and plain attire have been the subject of intense debate across the country since her spine-tingling performance of I Dreamed A Dream earlier this month. But yesterday she was spotted outside her home in Blackburn, West Lothian, sporting the striking new look. In an interview earlier this week, Boyle said she was happy with the way she looked, but still felt scarred by taunts she suffered as a youngster because of her unruly hair.
She said: "The ones who were mean to me then are now nice to me. I still see the kids I went to school with because we all live in the same area. They accept me now. And look at me – I've had the last laugh."
When asked if she would change her looks on CNN's Larry King Live, Boyle replied: "Why should I change?"
Susan Boyle pictured after her makeover
While online video clips of the unemployed church volunteer's performance on the ITV show wowed fans around the world, there was concern that her new look could jeopardise her following.
Yesterday it was reported that the makeover has caused consternation behind the scenes, with sources on the show said to be "frantic", because they wanted to preserve her unique looks for the live finals.
The contrast between Boyle's unkempt appearance and angelic singing voice is said by many to be the key to her meteoric rise to international fame.
A neighbour said: "The TV folk might not like what she's done. She looks really nice – nothing like the image that's had the whole world talking about her."
But a spokeswoman for Britain's Got Talent said: "Susan is a grown woman and can do what she likes with her hair."
The transformation is thought to have been carried out by local hairdresser Caroline Boyle, 45, no relation, at a cost of £35. There would have been no shortage of alternative offers – yesterday Demi Moore's hairstylist expressed an interest in tackling Boyle's hair.
'IN A YEAR, YOU WON'T RECOGNISE THE OLD SUSAN'
I SUSPECT Simon Cowell and the Britain's Got Talent team have shied away from changing Susan Boyle's image, and she has taken upon herself to do something about it.
The shade of her hair could have been a bit warmer and the cut hasn't changed. Also, she has had far too much of her eyebrows plucked.
If her clothes were that little bit softer, a bit more tailored, it would make a big difference.
Having said that, it is obvious she has become much more aware of her image, and is trying to do something with it.
But I think in a year's time, you won't recognise her as the old Susan Boyle.
• Jade Halbert owns the Dresser, a Glasgow personal shopping and styling service.
