Veronica Schmidt
Attend a special evening hosted by Mike Atherton

She rose to sudden fame as an unassuming Everyman, but last night Susan Boyle’s life took a distinctly celebrity turn after a spat at a hotel ended in police intervention.
The Britain’s Got Talent singing sensation reportedly swore at a journalist in front of guests in the lobby of the Wembley Plaza Hotel in North London, prompting police to intervene.
The 48-year-old Scot, who is the favourite to win the talent show final on Saturday, reportedly yelled: "How f**king dare you! You can't f**king talk to me like that."
According to The Sun, police stationed at the hotel approached Boyle and after one asked if there was a problem, she shouted, "Of course there's a f**king problem."
But today Boyle’s spokeswoman said a tabloid reporter was responsible for the incident.
“A journalist from a tabloid paper provoked her, the police just happened to be at the hotel and escorted said journalist out after making sure Susan was OK.”
Boyle, who was later seen crying outside the hotel, has faced a barrage of criticism recently despite being hailed a hero following her first performance on the ITV talent show seven weeks ago.
Chart favourite Lily Allen posted on her Twitter mini-blog that Boyle was “overrated”, while X Factor judge and Westlife manager Louis Walsh said she was “not a great singer”.
The singer has also been nicknamed 'The Hairy Angel' and mocked on the American TV show South Park.
Britain's Got Talent judge Piers Morgan today called for people to back off Boyle, saying she had been in "floods of tears" this week as she tried to cope with her newfound fame.
In an interview with radio station LBC 97.3, he said Boyle was "an incredibly sweet, nice, gentle person who has been propelled through this show.
"Suddenly, a month later, she's the biggest star on the planet and I don't say that lightly.
"Anybody who has gone through that incredible transformation is going to be feeling the most unbelievable pressure, not least of which because the final is on Saturday and she knows that everything may rest on that one performance and you could see the nerves almost crippling her on the semi-final show and I just think it's time that everyone slightly backed off."
Despite the criticism, Boyle, who followed her now famous I Dreamed a Dream performance with a rendition of Memory for last weekend’s semi-final, retains a huge following.
Bookmakers put her as the favourite to win the show, while Hollywood star Demi Moore is so enamoured she is flying in to London to watch Boyle perform in Saturday’s final.
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Get ready for the winter sports season, with our resort guides and snow reports
We are backing British business, what is the confidence of the nation and what businesses are succeeding?
Growing demand for energy, oil that is harder to reach and the rise of carbon dioxide emissions. We examine the energy challenge
With rail travel in Europe on the rise, we review the benefits of travelling by train
In this special section we explore new food trends to help improve your dinner party and impress guests
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
1998
£47,955
12 months for the price of 11 and a 5% discount.
Offer ends 31/11/09
Check your free Experian credit report before applying
Car Insurance
£353 per day
Phonepay Plus
London
PwC’s Consulting practice helps businesses of all shapes and sizes work smarter and grow faster
PwC
£37,000
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London
Currently £36,285
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
London
Moments from Battersea Park.
For sale with Winkworth
Find out about shared ownership.
See your free Experian credit report beforehand
Accommodation, flights, tickets to the race and a KL city tour for only £999pp
PremierHolidays.co.uk
For your ultimate tailor-made ski holiday, click here
Get covered on your travels with a superb range of policies at great prices. Visit InsureandGo.com
World Class Golf, Spa and preferential Beach Club. Private estate overlooking West Coast
Villas from £275 per night inclusive of Golf
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.