Popular television personality Denise Van Outen has pulled out of a new BBC talent show so that she can pursue her career in America.

The presenter was lined up to co-host How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, a programme following the quest to find a girl to play Maria in a West End production of The Sound of Music.

A source told the Mirror: "She hates letting anybody down but this was too good a chance to miss."

Van Outen plans to spend the summer months working on her Hollywood career. The source added: "She is disappointed but things are really taking off for her there. She has been given a chance to make a name for herself in the US and wants to give it her all."