Clifford says 'Princess' Susan Boyle will be a hit across the world

CELEBRITY publicist Max Clifford believes West Lothian singing sensation Susan Boyle will have hit albums across the world after being catapulted to global stardom.

The PR guru told the Evening News he would like to have her on his books, warning she will need to be protected in the first crucial months of her new-found fame.

Mr Clifford said Miss Boyle's rise to international celebrity status in just seven days is like a "fairy story", which has turned the 47-year-old devout Catholic into a "princess". Miss Boyle has become a household name after her stunning Britain's Got Talent audition, which was broadcast on ITV last Saturday night.

In the space of a week, she has gone from spending her days doing housework and helping out at her local church in Blackburn to being photographed and interviewed by the world's media and being invited to sing on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

She has appeared in dozens of newspapers worldwide, including the front page of The Washington Post, and has featured on top shows such as Good Morning America.

Mr Clifford said: "It's amazing, the kind of thing that doesn't happen very often. People like her for all of the right reasons because they have become aware of her background and story, because she devoted her life to looking after her mum and because of the way she looks.

"She shuffled out, looking the way she does and you thought 'oh dear, poor thing'. But when she opened her mouth, it was unbelievable and the whole atmosphere changed. It's one of these fairy stories and it's lovely when it happens. It's a classic rags to riches story – here's someone who has sacrificed everything for her mum and hasn't had much of a life and suddenly this happens.

"It's like Cinderella when she's finally turned into a princess."

Mr Clifford likened her popularity to that of 2007 winner Paul Potts – but says she has become an even bigger star because of social networking sites such as Twitter.

American talk show host Jay Leno has become her latest celebrity fan, even dressing up as the singer for a light-hearted sketch on the Tonight Show.

Miss Boyle said: "I can't believe how lucky I am. I'm amazed that these TV stations from all over the world have come to see me. I haven't taken it in completely and most mornings I wake up with a smile on my face because I can't believe what has happened. It's overwhelming, but I'm keeping my feet firmly on the ground."

It has also emerged that US record label Menagerie Entertainment has offered Miss Boyle a deal – which she has reportedly turned down.