Young Maltese actor in Les Miserables sings with Susan Boyle

A young Maltese man sang on the same stage as Scottish superstar Susan Boyle on Sunday night, in a programme that was televised to millions.

Thomas Camilleri, 23, is a cast member of one of the West End's best selling musicals, Les Miserables, which includes the song that made Ms Boyle famous: I Dreamed A Dream.

"The show has been going on for 24 years but ever since Susan Boyle happened, it's been sold out every night," Mr Camilleri told The Times yesterday.

Subo, as she is known in the UK, became a worldwide sensation when she appeared on reality TV show Britain's Got Talent.

In her video audition, which ended up being watched by millions around the globe, she appeared on stage looking frumpy and plain with big dreams of singing with the stars.

Her powerful voice blew away the initially sceptical judges and viewers, making her a hot favourite to win the competition, even though she eventually placed second.

On Sunday night, together with other cast members, Mr Camilleri sang the chorus lines of the song that made Ms Boyle famous in an exclusive concert filmed at the ITV studios.

Mr Camilleri, who plays the character of Montparnasse in Les Miserables, described Ms Boyle as "a bit mad" but "a lovely person".

"She was always surrounded by her producer, manager and bodyguard so we didn't get much time to spend with her," he said.

However, he was pleasantly surprised that she sang live, even though many stars who perform on such shows sing playback.

"Let's face it, her voice isn't stunning and the main reason she is so famous is because she looks so awful, so it was good that she sang live," Mr Camilleri said.

"But if her voice belonged to someone very pretty, she would be a run-of-the-mill singer."

When the song was about to be filmed and Ms Boyle was looking nervous, one of Mr Camilleri's friends turned to her and said: "Come on Subo!", to which she responded with two thumbs up and a loud: "Come on!"

"She seemed very lovely and composed, especially when you consider that she had a breakdown after the final," Mr Camilleri said.

Ms Boyle was said to have suffered a breakdown after placing second in the reality show to dance group Diversity. She was even admitted to a mental clinic and had to cancel some planned appearances.

Sunday's concert featured in a special documentary about the 48-year-old singer that was aired to continue generating interest around the star's debut album, which has become one of the fastest-selling records of all time. The programme was broadcast yesterday right after the final of popular singing competition The X Factor, which was seen by an estimated 20 million viewers.

Entitled I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story, the documentary has also been sold to networks worldwide.

Mr Camilleri has been part of the Les Miserables cast since May and will carry on until next year.