MUSICALS star Connie Fisher has dramatically pulled out of The Sound of Music tour which is heading for Newcastle.

The singer has suffered major throat problems, forcing her to cancel all future performances. Her spokeswoman said she would never again be able to play the role because her voice had gone down an octave.

She was the star performer in the show which is one of the big pulls for the new-look Theatre Royal when it reopens next month.

Refunds will not be available for those who booked tickets on the back of Connie performing – it has always been stated she would not appear in every performance – as producers are certain her replacement, ex-Emmerdale actress Verity Rushworth, who has been playing the role alongside Connie, will be just as big a draw and has already won rave reviews.

Connie won BBC1’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and played the role at the London Palladium for 15 months to critical acclaim.

But since her last appearances on the tour in Oxford she has been suffering from a vocal condition which seriously compromised her singing voice.

“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,” she said yesterday.

“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.