Susan Boyle Makes Debut On The Big Screen

Singer Susan Boyle is to make her big screen debut, in the British holiday period film The Christmas Candle.

The 51-year-old will join Samantha Barks, Hans Matheson and Lesley Manville in the production, which has just begun shooting this week in the UK.

The film, based on the novella by Max Lucado, tells the tale of an enchanted Christmas candle in Gladbury, a dull village that must confront the dawning of the 20th century and a new, sceptical minister.

The film's producers did not indicate which role the singer is playing.

"Everyone on set is a delight to work with and it's a fantastic experience to be part of the team," Boyle said in a statement.

"I'm really enjoying getting dressed in the period costumes and stepping back in time and although it's very cold filming on location - I'm wearing long johns under my bustle."

The singer became an overnight international sensation in 2009 after appearing on variety show Britain's Got Talent and performing a flawless rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from the musical Les Miserables.

Barks was most recently in the 2012 film production of Les Miserables and Matheson's credits include 2010's Clash of the Titans, while Manville is best known for 2010's Another Year.