Kelly Clarkson has criticised people's treatment of Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle.

Clarkson, who won American Idol, said it was “very hard” to come through a reality TV show, but admitted Boyle's journey had been particularly difficult.

“Because people can be vicious, I mean especially with her,” she said during an appearance on GMTV.

“I’ve heard nothing but horrible things people say about her."

She added: "It’s one of those things. She’s from a small town, I’m from a smaller town, it takes time to be like, ‘Wow, some people are really mean.’

“But you have to focus on the people that are really positive around you."

As Entertainmentwise reported earlier, Boyle has vowed to appear on the Britain's Got Talent tour this month after she was released from The Priory last week.

The Scottish singing sensation was treated for exhaustion at the London clinic after losing out to dance act Diversity in the final of the dance competition.

Susan Boyle