Susan Boyle's life will take an even more surreal turn next year, when she joins the cast of the musical based on her life story, where another actress will continue to play her.
The Scottish singing sensation will appear in I Dreamed A Dream when it arrives in Birmingham early next summer, and will turn up on stage to perform the finale of the show.
The musical, with the lead role taken by Calendar Girls and Rab C Nesbitt actress Elaine C Smith, details Boyle's journey from her reclusive life in Scotland with cat Pebbles for company, to global popularity and record-breaking sales via Britain's Got Talent in 2009, when she confounded audience expectations by belting out I Dreamed A Dream, from the musical Les Miserables.
Boyle, who has not performed on stage in the UK since the accompanying tour of the TV programme, says: "I am thrilled to be a part of the musical about my life story and very much looking forward to stepping on stage and performing with the cast. It is an honest portrayal of my life and has been a cathartic process to be involved in."
I Dreamed A Dream musical producer Michael Harrison attests: Susan continues to defy the odds and surprise the world with her record-breaking albums. I can't wait to see the audience reaction when she walks on stage."
I Dreamed A Dream is at Birmingham Hippodrome Tuesday 29th May to Saturday 2nd June 2012. Tickets can be pre-booked online