Published Monday, 22 June 2009
Boyle, 48, has missed several live dates, including two shows in Nottingham on Saturday, to take rest days due to the stress of being in the spotlight.
But she returned to the stage on Sunday, performing at two shows at Wembley Arena, in north-west London.
Boyle sang her semi-final tune, Memories, from the musical Cats, and also I Dreamed A Dream, from the musical Les Miserables, the song which brought her worldwide fame.
Boyle became the focus of international attention after her powerful audition performance left the audience and judges open-mouthed with surprise.
A spokeswoman for the show said after Boyle's second appearance: "They were on their feet for her. It was a standing ovation."
She said other acts including the show's winner, dance group Diversity, also received standing ovations from the crowd.
Boyle was taken to the Priory Clinic in central London hours after she was beaten in the final by Diversity.
One of the show's judges, Piers Morgan, said the 48-year-old church worker from Blackburn, West Lothian, was emotionally drained and exhausted.