Suan Boyle signs with U2 guru Ossie Kilkenny

EXCLUSIVE by Thomas Smith 6/06/2009

Man who guided Irish rock legends to riches to mastermind Britain's Got Talent star's career


Susan Boyle has signed the financial wizard who turned U2 into multi-millionaires as her manager.

Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Susan and her family have appointed legendary showbiz accountant Ossie Kilkenny to mastermind her career and capitalise on her massive fame.

The deal means that BGT guru Simon Cowell’s Syco record label will release Susan’s hotly-awaited debut album.

But it is music industry veteran Ossie, 62, who will actually manage her and organise her finances to ensure that every deal she signs is as lucrative as possible.

Angel-voiced Susan, 48, and her family held a summit last month with Ossie, who flew from his Dublin base to meet Susan’s family in Blackburn, the tiny West Lothian village where she lives in a council house with her cat Pebbles. The meeting was organised by London entertainment and media lawyer Kirsty Foy – who is Susan’s niece.

Kirsty, 40, approached Ossie – who has also worked with acts including Tina Turner, The Verve, Bryan Adams and Van Morrison – to get independent career advice for Susan.


On Friday Susan met with bosses at Syco, an off-shoot of Sony, accompanied by one of Ossie’s representatives. A well-placed source said: “Susan wants to work with Simon but she and her family have also chosen to bring in Ossie Kilkenny as manager. So the record will be with Simon’s label, but Ossie will look after her management.”

Yesterday, a beaming Susan flew home to Scotland for the first time since last Saturday’s shock result, which saw Susan beaten by dance troupe Diversity.

She waved to fans at Edinburgh Airport, then was driven home for an emotional reunion with Pebbles.

It was all a far cry from last Sunday when Susan, who has minor learning difficulties, was admitted to London’s Priory Hospital suffering from nervous exhaustion.

She left the clinic on Thursday and is now much happier and relaxed.

She is now expected to take part in the BGT tour, which begins on Friday, and will soon enter the recording studio to start her album.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/06/06/suan-boyle-signs-with-u2-guru-ossie-kilkenny-115875-21420369/