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Money man Ossie rejects 'harmful' Subo rumours

Irish number cruncher has hit out at claims that he is bad for Susan Boyle and her financial future, writes Niamh Horan

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Sunday Apr 18 2010

Showbusiness accountant Ossie Kilkenny has hit back at claims that he is harmful to troubled singer Susan Boyle's growing fortune.

The legendary financial wizard, known as "U2's accountant" for many years, has told friends that he is still "100 per cent working with Susan Boyle" and only has her best interests at heart.

The Dublin accountant and chairman of the Irish Sports Council has told his inner-circle that he will be taking action against the claims and that he will stick with the Britain's Got Talent runner-up as he steers her career.

As a source close to Mr Kilkenny explained: "He came out of retirement to help Susan because he saw her as someone who triumphed over adversity and he made it his mission to help her become the greatest success she could.

'He came out of retirement to help Susan Boyle as he saw her as someone who triumphed over adversity'

"He is not paying any attention to the nonsense in the papers, except to take the appropriate action, and remains focused on Susan's singing," they said.

To date the Susan Boyle phenomenon shows no signs of abating -- with the official YouTube video of the performance reaching over 32 million views.

And music industry insiders are tipping her to earn up to €22m over the year, boosted by earnings from her second album plus a string of even more lucrative tour dates.

The 48-year-old -- who achieved global fame in 2009 after appearing on Britain's Got Talent -- has already made €5m from her debut album I Dreamed A Dream.

And she is due to pocket another €5.5m from royalties from the album, which has sold over 8.5 million copies worldwide.

Her second album, which will be out at Christmas, is tipped to earn her a further €11m.

"Her success has been phenomenal," an insider said. "The second album could be even bigger than the first."

Boyle is reported to have bought herself a new home, in her home town of West Lothian, after a series of security scares at her old council house.

Meanwhile, the search for the next Britain's Got Talent star kicked off again last night when the show returned for its fourth series.

Once again Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan will be seen at auditions up and down Britain as hopefuls perform for the chance to win a place in the next round.

At stake is a €170,000 prize plus the chance to perform for the Queen at this year's Royal Variety Performance.

Originally published in