Morgan slams 'bitchy, mean-spirited' Paige

Piers Morgan has criticised Elaine Paige for her recent comments about Susan Boyle.

Paige was reported as comparing the speed of Boyle's rise to that of a virus, though she later clarified her remarks and complained that she had been misquoted by the Daily Mail.

However, in his weekly diary for the same newspaper, Morgan wrote: "Elaine Paige has come out with some extraordinarily bitchy remarks about Susan Boyle, saying she's a 'virus' that she 'doesn't feel any pride for'.

"I, of course, presented the TV special at Christmas in which Susan sang a duet with Ms Paige, and got twice the ovation that Susan's idol received."

He added: "This, coupled with the fact that Susan has sold ten million albums and become a global superstar in a way Ms Paige never came close to achieving, may explain her pathetically jealous and mean-spirited hissy fit."

Paige has recorded four multi-platinum and eight gold albums and was nominated five times for the Laurence Olivier award, winning once.

She has also won a lifetime achievement gong from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association and was awarded the OBE in 1995.