West End star Emma Williams has stunned producers by quitting the upcoming production of The Sound of Music in which she was due to share the role of Maria with Connie Fisher, winner of BBC One's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?.

In a statement yesterday, Lord Lloyd Webber announced that Williams has "withdrawn her services from the production," but "wishes Connie every success with the role."

Williams is reported to have been unhappy with sharing the part in the £4 million production, due to open at the London Palladium in November. She was originally contracted to star in four performances per week, but after a public outcry in favour of Fisher the number was halved.