We are nearing the end of the Britain's Got Talent auditions, and it's clear what an extraordinary process we've seen.
I don’t think any talent show in the history of television has had more global impact than this series of BGT.
And it’s all down to one middle-aged lady from Scotland.
I’ve been working in America the last three weeks, and everywhere I’ve gone, from Seattle to New York, Houston to Los Angeles, I have had to run the Susan Boyle gauntlet when I walk the streets.
And I mean gauntlet. Literally one in five people have stopped me to ask about Susan. She has become one of the biggest celebrities in America, and when the live shows start next week, the world’s No1 superpower will just grind to a halt! Quite astonishing given then nobody had ever heard of her a month ago, and most of her fans have only seen her sing for 90 seconds.
Of course, it’s not a one-horse race, as I keep saying. Susan faces incredibly tough competition – last night, two more great acts emerged to challenge her, the mini Beyonce, Natalie Okri, and that incredible little dancer Aidan Davis.
Add those to the list of potential winners, always assuming they made it through to the Top 40 of course (I repeat, prepare to be shocked when the shortlist is revealed next Saturday) and boy have we got a show on our hands.
It will all come down to how the acts perform on the night.
The live environment sorts out the genuine possible stars from the wannabees, trust me.
Even Simon gets nervous before those shows, and nothing usually fazes him.
Anything could happen – Susan could come out, and fall flat on her face.
I hope she doesn’t though, obviously. Apart from anything else, the fact that her audition performance has been viewed 190 million times on YouTube means that I have, too.
Which is why a rather attractive Canadian lady came up to me by the pool of my Beverly Hills hotel yesterday, and said: ‘Oh my god, I love your face in the Susan Boyle video. So kind and sensitive..’
When I’d stopped laughing (these are not allegations I’ve ever faced before), she added: ‘My friend and I would like to take you to dinner tonight….’
I couldn’t make it, but I do want to thank Susan for all she is doing for my street cred in America.
Which acts do you think should the final 40? Let us know below!