Talent star Susan Boyle dedicates album to her mother

Susan Boyle with a picture of her parents

Susan Boyle has dedicated her debut album to her mother

Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle has dedicated her debut album to her late mother, saying she promised her she would "do something" with her life.

I Dreamed A Dream has already broken the sales record for CD pre-orders on website Amazon before its release.

The Scot makes several references to her mother Bridget, who died in 2007 aged 91, on the album cover.

The album, which was released on Monday, has been tipped by bookmakers to be the Christmas Number one.

Boyle became a worldwide sensation earlier this year when she sang I Dreamed on the Britain's Got Talent TV show. She eventually finished runner-up.

She wrote in the album notes: "It (I Dreamed a Dream) is about a mother living in hard times.

"Very similar to my dream on a more personal level of my 'life gone by' with mum who died at the age of 91 and who's 'dream' it was that I should 'do something' with my life.

"Mum this is for you."

'Incredible achievement'

Elsewhere in the sleeve notes there is a picture of Boyle with her mother, along with the dedication: "I would like to dedicate this album to my beloved mother, to whom I made a promise to 'be someone'."

The 12-track album was named after the song from the musical Les Miserables that made her famous.

The record is a mix of pop covers such as You'll See by Madonna and The Monkees' Daydream Believer, as well as Christian stalwarts including Amazing Grace and Silent Night.

Bookmaker William Hill said it was so sure Boyle, from Blackburn, West Lothian, would achieve sales of one million by Christmas it would only offer an even money bet.

The album is tipped to be Christmas Number One

And the firm has installed her 6/4 favourite to have the Number One album at Christmas, ahead of stars such as Leona Lewis, Rihana and Take That.

After an appearance on Sunday night's X-Factor on ITV1, Boyle was set for a tour of the US, starting off in the NBC studios for the Today Show.

Amazon said Boyle's album was the biggest CD pre-order in the 14-year-history of its website.

Julian Monaghan, head of music buying at Amazon.co.uk, said: "Just eight months ago, no-one was aware of the talents of Susan Boyle.

"Now, she has generated more Amazon pre-order CD sales globally than any other artist.

"That is an incredible achievement and is testament to the fact that she has captured the hearts of people all over Britain, America and the rest of the world."

Steve Barnett, chairman of Boyle's record label, Columbia Records, part of Sony Music, said: "One of the things that is so unique about Susan Boyle is her ability to touch people around the world.

"We're excited that I Dreamed A Dream holds the new record for global pre-orders and that Amazon's customers have supported her album in this way."