Connie Fisher off 'Maria' with cold

Connie Fisher is taking a two-week break from The Sound of Music after coming down with a cold.

The actress, who was picked on a BBC television talent show, has missed several shows recently with a cold. She has now strained a vocal chord by continuing to sing despite the illness.

Her role will be filled by understudy Sophie Bould, who usually plays Liesl.

"Through a desire not to let the public down, Connie Fisher sang through a heavy cold which has caused a vocal injury," explained a spokesman for the London Palladium production. "The vocal chords are a muscle like any other and, as in the sporting world, when injured they require complete rest to recover.

"On her doctor's advice, Connie has to take two weeks off from the show, starting last night, in order to allow the injury time to repair."