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By Katie Glass
What a difference a year makes: Susan Boyle blows out her birthday cake at her private party in TokyoSusan Boyle celebrated her 49th birthday today in the company of her adoring fans.
The thrilled singer, who leaped to fame with her first Britain's Got Talent audition just under a year ago, was presented with a cake and flowers by a select group of fans in Tokyo in a private party last night, before taking to the stage to perform today.
Boyle arrived in Japan this week to perform at the Budokan concert venue earlier today, with fans flying specially in for the occasion from Australia, Europe, the U.S. and Asia.
Guests at the party donned home-made 'Susan Boyle' buttons and red scarves in a tribute to the star, who is known affectionately as Su-Bo, before presenting her with a chocolate cake decked with strawberries and featuring her album cover.
Meanwhile, Boyle also woke up this morning to a £4million gift from Simon Cowell.
The payout from Cowell's Syco label represents the first instalment of royalties from Miss Boyle's best-selling debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, which was released last November.
It has since become the fastest-selling album in British history, with more than 3.1million copies bought in its first four weeks.
It's my birthday and I'll sing if I want to: Boyle performs with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra todayMiss Boyle, who still lives in a council house in Blackburn, West Lothian, with her cat Pebbles, said of her party: 'We had a wonderful time. I can't believe they have come all the way from America, Australia, and the UK. I just can't believe how lucky I am.'
Linda Caillet, who helped organise the event, said; 'This started out as a small idea. A couple of us asked if anyone wanted to go to see Susan sing in Japan and before long it became a big group of us from all over the world.
'One of the group flew over from Australia for a day to buy the tickets because you could only get them in Japan'.
The select group joined a 10,000-strong audience to watch as Miss Boyle performs alongside the Yomiyuri Nippon Orchestra.
Happy returns: Boyle, who turns 49 today, will receive a £4m payout from Simon Cowell's Syco label
Drawing a crowd: Fans queue outside the Budokan concert venue ahead of Boyle's performanceEarlier this month rumours suggested that the singer intended to buy a £2million home in Chelsea.
Friends, however, have suggested more recently that Miss Boyle intends to buy a bigger house in Blackburn, where she has lived all her life.
A friend close to the star said: 'Fame hasn't changed her, but she does recognise money will bring her security and that's why she's looking for a new home.'
Miss Boyle became an overnight sensation after appearing on Britain's Got Talent last April.
She is receiving royalties only now because they are subject to a time
Security concerns: Miss Boyle still lives at this council house in Blackburn, West Lothian, which has been targeted by intruders
Upgrade: She is set to buy this £300,000 five-bedroom house in her home town of Blackburn, West Lothian[endtext]