Susan Boyle throws a hissy fit at the airport

The 55-year-old singer caused a dramatic scene while flying home on her own last week and was subsequently led into a sideroom by airport staff who comforted her.

An onlooker said: "There was quite a buzz in the airport when people became aware of her presence.

"To see her running through the airport after she left to board the flight, screaming for help, was the last thing anyone expected to see."

According to a source close to the singer, she became distressed after rowing with a relative.

The unnamed female friend told the Sunday People newspaper: "Susan's trip wasn't what she had hoped it would be. She had travelled to Derry for a birthday celebration and had taken her brother with her but sadly the two of them had a disagreement.

"He decided to leave early on his own which was a problem for Susan, who is not used to travelling alone and felt very vulnerable and upset.

"She became quite ­distressed and in the end her assistant flew out from Glasgow to collect her and brought her home safely the next day.

"Susan is a lovely woman and an incredible talent but she was really let down by being left on her own. She's home now and is absolutely fine and as with most family squabbles it will all be resolved.

"She's got lots of great things planned for this year and will start recording her seventh album next month. She's in a great place, with people who love and care about her looking out for her back home."