'Come home' appeal to Susan Boyle

A banner and bunting has been erected at Susan Boyle's home in Blackburn, West Lothian

Neighbours in Susan Boyle's home town are urging the Britain's Got Talent star to come home so she can get the support of her local community.

Police were called to a London hotel at 1800 BST on Sunday, where doctors were assessing a woman under the Mental Health Act.

The Sun said the singer was admitted to the Priory clinic with exhaustion.

Neighbours said they were "devastated" the star, who came second in the ITV1 show, had been taken to a clinic.

They said the 48-year-old should come home to Blackburn, West Lothian.

Gary Barkhouse, 41, said: "Now that she is in the clinic, it's devastating to the whole community.

"I think it is time for her to come home, take stock of what's happened, and take it from there.

"That way she will have the support of everyone."

Another neighbour, Elaine Clark, 47, said: "This is a close-knit community, we all stick together, we all look after one another. Everyone looks out for Susan here.

"Now it's just time for her to come home and get back to some normality."

She also praised Boyle's performance on the TV talent show, saying: "She's done fantastically well, it's been uplifting for the whole community."

'Ordinary person'

Michelle McCabe, 34, said she was "just devastated" when she heard reports that her neighbour had been taken to a clinic.

Miss McCabe said: "I feel she deserved a little bit more support.

"What has happened to her is so sad. I hope she makes a full recovery because she has an amazing career in front of her."

Miss McCabe said her neighbour must have been under a massive amount of pressure.

She said: "There are stars in America who have taken years and years to get that much press attention - it took Susan seven weeks.

"And it's a lot to deal with for an ordinary person from Blackburn."

Speaking to the BBC, Boyle's brother Gerry said the singer was "fine" but feeling homesick.

"Susan just wants to come home and see her cat," he said.

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