Elaine Paige has branded Britain’s Got Talent Susan Boyle ‘a virus’, despite the fact that Susan has named her as her biggest icon on numerous occasions.

Evita star Paige was at the South Bank Show awards when she described the Scottish singer as “a virus really that spread across the world in a nanosecond.”

She added: “Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor just take a bunch of people from real life who think they can sing and try and turn them into overnight “stars” with a couple of songs.

“She is a girl with no experience of anything to do with theatrics, the music business, or art in any way. ‘It’s all about turning someone into an immediate celebrity at the expense of longevity and working hard and experience.”

When asked if Boyle would have longevity, Paige replied: “That’s a good question. She is a major star because of YouTube. Longevity is gained through knowledge, experience and effort so it will remain to be seen.

“When I started, YouTube didn’t exist but even then with 15 years of experience prior to my success with Evita it was difficult, so I admire the way she handled her sudden success.

“Ha ha. It’s not entertainment.”

Despite her condescension, Elaine saw fit to perform with Susan on her special ITV show last December. Check out the clip below.