LONDON - SURPRISE singing sensation Susan Boyle made a new television appearance on Sunday, showcasing once again her soaring voice - but refusing to compromise on the frumpy look that made her an Internet sensation.

The shy church volunteer gave a rousing, but occasionally nervous, performance on the 'American Idol'-style show 'Britain's Got Talent', with a version of the song 'Memory' from the musical 'Cats'.

Members of the public voting in a telephone poll picked her as the best of eight performers who appeared on Sunday, meaning she will sing again in the contest's final next Saturday.

Wearing a plum coloured beaded dress - and a touch more makeup than during her last performance - but with the same unruly shock of hair, Boyle overcame early jitters to deliver a powerful vocal.

Producers said the 47-year-old's appearance was being posted on the Internet almost immediately, after about 60 million people watched her last performance via YouTube.

The sometimes awkward looking Scot won praise from celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore, and even won a name check in her favourite cartoon 'The Simpsons'.

On Sunday, the show's judges and audience rose to their feet to applaud, but those posting comments to the Twitter Web site appeared divided. While some hailed her performance, others appeared underwhelmed.

Contestants are competing to perform at Britain's annual Royal Variety Show - attended by members of the royal family - and win a 100,000 pound (S$229,000) prize.

The singer, who lives alone with her cat Pebbles in one of Scotland's poorest regions, said before Sunday's performance that she wouldn't transform her appearance. 'I just want people to see me for who I am, and do my best at singing the song, that's what I am focusing on,' she said. -- AP