Shaun Smith: Susan Boyle made me a bundle

Oct 31 2010

REALITY TV reject Shaun Smith has revealed how Susan Boyle has earned HIM a small fortune.

The hunky Lichfield teenager made the final of Britain’s Got Talent last year but finished in ninth place.

Yet he says the huge TV ratings brought in by SuBo helped boost his profile, earning him more public appearances and showbiz opportunities.

Now Shaun, 18, is using the money to study music at a London college – where he will learn how to sing properly.

‘‘Without Susan I wouldn’t have got the work I did which has funded my studies,’’ he said. “She made the show one of the most watched in the past seven years and because of that I became well-known. I didn’t win but I’m lucky that I’ve earned more money than I would have if I hadn’t gone on.”

Shaun was a big hit on the ITV1 show but was up against stiff competition in the final, including SuBo, novelty dance act Stavros Flatley and eventual winners Diversity.

But he said despite the potential riches at stake, there was never any back-stabbing behind the scenes. “Everyone got along really well,’’ Shaun recalled.