British internet singing star Susan Boyle has been admitted to a private clinic after being beaten into second place in the final of the popular Britain's Got Talent television contest, British media reported.

Dowdy and unglamorous, Boyle seemed an unlikely star when she first appeared on the show in April, only to stun the judges and win popular acclaim with her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

Boyle, 48, had been heavily backed to beat nine other finalists on Saturday after clips of her earlier appearance were downloaded nearly 200 million times and she was hailed the world over as a superstar.

But according to the Sun newspaper, she suffered an emotional breakdown at her hotel in London on Sunday.

A police spokesman confirmed that officers had been called to a London hotel to doctors attending a woman under the mental health act.

She was taken voluntarily by ambulance to a clinic. At the request of doctors, police accompanied the ambulance, the spokesman added.

Despite expectations that Boyle would make a fortune from her talent and almost instant fame, there has been concern among show organizers about her ability to cope with pressure.

Boyle, who was starved of oxygen at birth leading to minor brain damage, has been pursued by the world's press since early April and, according to show judge Piers Morgan, broke down in tears repeatedly during the run-up to the final.

Nearly four million people phoned in to choose a winner, and street dance troupe Diversity won 24.9 percent of the vote ahead of Boyle's 20.2 percent.

Diversity won 100,000 pounds ($160,000) and will appear at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen.

Boyle's financial future had been seen as secure despite coming second, as Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell and his Syco music label were widely expected to sign her up for an album. There has also been talk of a Hollywood movie about her story.

Media quoted the TV show's makers as saying Boyle was exhausted and emotionally drained.

She has been seen by her private GP, who supports her decision to take a few days out for rest and recovery, one newspaper quoted their statement as saying.

(Reporting by Kate Kelland, editing by Tim Pearce)

United kingdom