Susan Boyle, the Britain's Got Talent singer, has been getting a makeover despite pleas by host Amanda Holden that she remain the same until the end of the show.

The volunteer church worker, who has taken the world by storm with her moving rendition of I Dreamed a Dream, was dubbed the "hairy angel" for her unkempt appearance on the ITV programme.

Now Susan Boyle has been spotted near her home in Blackburn, West Lothian, wearing a stylish black leather jacket and what appeared to be a Burberry scarf.

Miss Boyle, 48, also sported a new hairstyle and seems to have had her grey locks dyed a reddish-brown.

The new look comes after Miss Boyle was photographed with her unruly eyebrows plucked into perfect arches.

She has recently updated her wardrobe to include a fashionable leather jacket and print dress.

The changes will be seen by many as an improvement, but they may upset Miss Holden who believes that Miss Boyle's appearance was one of the reasons she has attracted so much attention.

"She needs to stay exactly as she is because that's the reason we love her. She just looks like anybody who could live on your street," Miss Holden said earlier this week.

"The minute we turn her into a glamourpuss is when it's spoilt.

"That can perhaps come later when she has signed the album deal and conquered America.

"For now we'll keep her exactly as she is because that's why we've all fallen in love with her.

But it appears that Miss Boyle is keen to smarten up her image before her next television appearance.

"I will need to sort out my dress sense and my weight. It wasn't until I saw myself on TV that I realised how frumpy I was.

"It's not a big thing, it doesn't worry me too much, but I will be doing a bit more exercise to help me sort it out. I just want to look nice and smart," she said.