Once she was the dowdy woman down the road, but ever since Susan Boyle, 48, dreamed a dream she's been one of the biggest - and most refreshing - stars in the world.

This week the Scottish singer learned one of the perils of being world famous: you can't live a normal life again, ever.

At the weekend Boyle reportedly tried to disguise herself on a trip to the cinema but she still got recognized by her ardent fans.

Although she tried wearing a large hat to avoid being spotted, the ploy didn't work and she was soon found out. An onlooker told the press: 'As disguises go, it was up there with something out of The Pink Panther. It didn't work at all.'

Boyle put on a disguise when she went to see The Blind Side on Wednesday - but was still mobbed.