Singer Susan Boyle's "outburst" at Heathrow Airport has been attributed to her having Asperger syndrome.

Boyle was due to fly to Scotland when police were called to reports of a woman in distress in the airport lounge on Monday.

Following the incident, a spokeswoman for the former Britain's Got Talent star, 55, said her behaviour was characteristic of Asperger syndrome, the condition she was diagnosed with in 2013.

She said: "The incident at Heathrow occurred because of Susan's well-documented Asperger syndrome. It is a lifelong condition and one of the many characteristics is outbursts.

"She continues to enjoy her music career. That is very important to her and brings happiness to her life whilst trying to balance the many challenges that Asperger's brings."

Boyle, who found international fame after impressing talent show judges with her performance of I Dreamed A Dream, was said to be "absolutely fine" after the incident in Terminal 5.

Officers spoke to her before she made her way home to Scotland.

The entertainer, from Blackburn, West Lothian, has previously spoken of her relief at receiving a medical explanation for the "emotional outbursts" and "acute anxiety" that have afflicted her throughout her life.

Asperger's is a form of autism which typically means people with the condition struggle with their emotions and have difficulty in social situations, often unable to pick up on non-verbal cues.

Boyle said in a 2014 interview: "It's a very difficult subject to talk about because you always feel that eyes are on you, and people view you as different.

"I like to see myself as someone with a problem but one I can solve. It is definitely getting better. "