Susan Boyle Reveals She Had a Stroke Last Year: 'I Fought Like Crazy to Get Back on Stage'

Boyle, who rose to fame on 'Britain's Got Talent' in 2009, surprised fans with a performance during the season 4 finale that aired Sunday

Susan Boyle is getting candid about her health.

The Scottish singer, who rose to fame on Britain's Got Talent in 2009, made a surprise appearance for the season 4 finale that aired on Sunday. Following her performance, Boyle revealed that she had suffered a stroke last year.

She joined the cast of the West End's Les Miserables to sing "I Dreamed a Dream," the very song that catapulted her to fame when she first appeared on the competition show.

"It feels great," said Boyle, 62, of her performance. "It is extra special for me actually because last April there I suffered a minor stroke."

Related: Kim Zolciak-Biermann, 39, Reveals She Is Still Coping with Lingering Effects of 2015 Stroke

She continued, "I have fought like crazy to get back on stage. And I have done it."

Show creator and primary judge Simon Cowell praised Boyle for her bravery after she gave an update on her health. “Susan, we owe you so much and I knew you weren’t well, but if anyone was going to come back you were going to come back because it wouldn’t be the same without you,” Cowell, 63, said.

The “Wild Horses” singer also opened up about returning to the stage on social media. She shared photos from the big night on her Instagram. “Tonight I had the privilege of returning to @bgt and performing with the wonderful cast of @lesmizofficial,” she wrote. “This evening was even more special for me as in April of 2022 I had a stroke.”

Related: Susan Boyle Bringing Her Show Tunes to New York

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“For the past year I have worked so hard to get my speech and singing back, with the sole aim of being able to sing on stage again & tonight my hard work & perseverance paid off, singing the song that started it all, ‘I Dreamed A Dream’…” she ended her message.

According to The Mayo Clinic, a stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced. Symptoms of a stroke include but are not limited to headache, paralysis, trouble speaking and understanding what others are saying.

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