Susan Boyle has "not seen a penny" of the millions she has earned, according to her brother Gerry Boyle, and is living on a $285 a week allowance.
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Gerry 55, told reporters: "At present she has not seen a penny of her fortune, but knows it will soon be coming her way.

"The problem is she can't get her head 'round the extreme wealth that is coming and the implications for her future.

"She is still living off a $285 a week allowance which she uses for food and bills - but as for luxuries such as jewelery and flat-screen TVs, there are none.

He said Susan had little time for wealth and possesions.

The revelation comes after Gerry reported that burglars had tried to break into her house over the Christmas holiday.

Susan was deeply shocked when she found the two intruders in her garden. She has now had a panic alarm fitted, according to her brother, but there are fears she may have to leave the house in her hometown of Blackburn in Scotland.

Gerry said that Susan was watching television with her cat Pebbles at 11.p.m when she saw two strangers peering in the back window of the house. The two fled when she confronted them.

"I hate to think what might have happened if they had broken into the house when she was on her own. They could have had knives on them or anything." Gerry said.

"Susan rang me to tell me she'd had intruders like it was an everyday occurrence.

"She hadn't mentioned the incident to anyone or even reported it to the police. When she casually dropped it into the conversation I was really shocked. This can't go on any longer. She now has to realize that living in this small house is no longer suitable and more importantly not safe for her.

"The only thing she would be heartbroken to lose is her cat.

"People will think because she is about to become very rich she'll have all kinds of valuables scattered around the house. But the truth is there is nothing in there worth stealing. She is slowly coming around to the fact that her future is elsewhere, whether she likes it or not.

"I think the latest incident may have helped make her mind up.

"She's told me she will have a budget between $1 million and $1.5 million but still wants to stay in the area to be near her family. I think she has a couple of places in mind but I can't reveal them.

"She wants a lot of bedrooms so she can invite all her relatives and her new famous friends like Simon Cowell to stay."

Susan speant a "very down to earth" Christmas at the house of her sister Bridie in Motherwell. Speaking to reporters on Christmas Eve, she said: "It has been a brilliant year. I am the happiest I've ever been."