The 50-year-old Britain’s Got Talent star, who lives alone with her cat in Scotland, said that becoming an international superstar has improved her life in many ways.
“It’s alleviated the loneliness. I was very isolated before, just at home with my cat Pebbles,” she told The Sun. “But I don’t feel lonely any more, I don’t feel isolated. Everything is upbeat, more positive. The doors that have opened and people I’ve met have made me behave in a better manner, less childish.
“It’s made me grow up a bit. It’s made me more confident and sociable. I was painfully shy before but now it’s getting to the stage where people can’t shut me up.”
The former church volunteer was admitted to The Priory and treated for exhaustion following her stint on BGT in 2009. But 14million album sales later, she said she feels better equipped to deal with her fame.
“Sometimes you have periods of self-doubt where you think you’re not worthy of all this and retreat into yourself,” she said. “But I think I now know how to cope with the pressure better than two years ago. I’ve had a bit of a blip now and again but you learn and become better at what you do.
“I’m enjoying making good records and entertaining. I like all the pizzazz around it. I’m a bit of a show-off now. It has been a roller coaster but I don’t want it to end.”