Actress forced to quit Sound of Music role

Connie Fisher has been forced to pull out of a stage production of The Sound of Music, saying she no longer has the vocal range necessary for the role of Maria.

The 28-year-old, who shot to stardom in the BBC talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, said her voice had undergone a radical change as a result of a throat condition.

She was expected to play Maria in Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and Wimbledon until the end of October in a touring production.

Ms Fisher said: “After many months of battling with a throat condition, known as congenital sulcus vocalis, my vocal range has altered dramatically and it is with much regret that I have to withdraw from The Sound of Music as I no longer have the range to sing the part of Maria.

“My journey with this amazing show has been such a magical one and I am devastated that I am not able to close the tour.”

The star, who has previously appeared in the tour and took the lead role on stage at the London Palladium, said: “I have loved every minute of working with Andrew Lloyd Webber, (producer), David Ian and the cast and crew of The Sound of Music and I am only sorry that I am not able to be with them until the last performance.”

In 2009, Ms Fisher had to call off a 14-date Secret Love UK tour to have immediate surgery on her vocal cords.

Specialists in the US advised her to act after diagnosing congenital fusion anomalies. Doctors said it was a “miracle” she was able to have a singing career despite a throat condition which would have been present from birth.

The former call centre worker will be replaced by Verity Rushworth as Maria’s opposite Jason Donovan as Captain Von Trapp at the Wales Millennium Centre, when the production opens there later this month.

Ms Fisher’s spokesman later confirmed that she would never be able to play the famous role again as her voice had changed permanently, but she would be concentrating on other work.

She said: “Her voice is now of a much lower register and it’s a soprano part. Her voice has gone down an octave.”

She said of the star, who also acts and presents: “Her singing will have to take a backstep.”