Defeated Boyle rushed to Priory after backstage outburst

Singer Susan Boyle was rushed to the Priory clinic following her shock defeat in the 'Britain’s Got Talent' final, it was reported today.

The Scottish star was taken to the private clinic last night after show staff contacted police to say she was acting strangely at her London hotel, according to The Sun.

Officers were called to assist and Boyle was reportedly taken by ambulance to the Priory in Southgate, north London, escorted by police.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: “Police were called at approximately 6pm to a central London hotel to doctors assessing a woman under the Mental Health Act.

“Police and ambulance attended.

“The woman was taken voluntarily by ambulance to a clinic. At the request of doctors, police accompanied the ambulance.”

Yesterday it emerged Boyle was taking time off on the advice of a doctor after losing to dance act Diversity in the ITV talent show.

Television company talkbackThames released a statement offering her “ongoing support” amid newspaper reports that she had run amok backstage after her loss, shouting: “I hate this show.”

Boyle also allegedly threw water over a floor manager who tried to calm her down.

Yesterday’s statement from talkbackThames said: “Following Saturday night’s show, Susan is exhausted and emotionally drained.

“She has been seen by her private GP who supports her decision to take a few days out for rest and recovery.

“We offer her our ongoing support and wish her a speedy recovery.”

The 52-bedroom Priory, which specialises in the treatment of mental health problems, could not be reached for comment today.

No allegations of crime were made and there were no arrests in relation to the incident at the hotel.

Boyle has been tipped to make millions from a singing career and bookies are already predicting a number one chart hit in America.

The church volunteer appeared on Oprah Winfrey’s television show after millions of people logged on to YouTube to watch her spine-tingling 'Britain’s Got Talent' audition.

Her new-found celebrity ensured that the competition kept grabbing the headlines, and the final became the most watched television programme in the UK for five years.

But recent days saw a backlash against Boyle, who was accused of four-letter outbursts at her hotel and faced speculation that she would not be able to cope with the pressure of fame.

Bookies avoided huge payouts with her surprise defeat.

Meanwhile the emotional distress shown by young finalist Hollie Steel, 10, who broke down in tears during her semi-final performance raised questions as to whether an age limit should be imposed on the competition.

Diversity took 24.9% of the public vote in the final, above Boyle’s 20.2% share. The contestant in third place, saxophonist Julian Smith, gained 16.4% of the vote.

Just under four million people voted, ITV said.