Susan Boyle: The musical

Susan Boyle's life story is to be the subject of a new musical.

The 50-year-old singing sensation - who shot to fame on Simon Cowell's talent search show Britain's Got Talent in 2009 before going on to sell more than 14 million albums worldwide - will see her inspirational tale take to the stage from 2012 in international stage production I Dreamed A Dream.

Susan, who will be portrayed by Rab C. Nesbitt actress Elaine C Smith, is thrilled at the prospect of seeing her life turned into a worldwide musical.

She said: I am happy that the musical is being produced, I never thought my life story would end up on the stage but a lot has happened in two years and it is a very exciting prospect. I hope everyone enjoys the show and I promise there will be a few surprises along the way.'

Meanwhile, producer Michael Harrison claimed the brand new musical will have all the qualities of a real-life 'fairytale'.

He added: 'She is an inspiring woman and her story is an excellent one to tell - someone with a raw talent who surprises the world and overturns all the odds to make a new life for herself.

'It's got all the qualities of a fairytale, but with the added bonus of being absolutely true. I am looking forward to the tour very much.'

I Dreamed A Dream will open at Newcastle's Theatre Royal on March 23 2012 before going on tour.

Tickets for the Newcastle shows will go on sale on July 7.

No further dates have yet been announced.