Connie Fisher reveals 'Maria' weight loss

Connie Fisher has revealed that she dropped two dress sizes due to the pressure of playing Maria in The Sound Of Music.

The 24-year-old has just completed her 18-month run at the London Palladium, where she has been replaced by Hollyoaks star Summer Strallen.

She landed the role after winning BBC One talent search How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, but some critics accused her of being unable to handle the job after she fell ill.

She was forced to take two weeks off last March after straining her vocal cords while performing with a cold. She later reduced her weekly performances from eight to six.

However, she insisted that there was no truth in rumours that her forthcoming 13-date UK tour was scrapped due to lack of interest, claiming a “clash of dates” was behind the decision. The tour was scheduled to kick off in Blackpool on May 31, but just 200 of the 4,500 tickets had sold after a month.

Plans for five performances of Simply Bernstein in April have also been abandoned.

Fisher denied speculation that her career had stalled, telling the Daily Telegraph: “The tour would have been nice, but it just wasn’t possible because of a clash of dates. I am not an X Factor on wheels. I am a musical theatre actress who wants to play serious parts.”

Talking about her weight, she said: "In the BBC show I was a size 12, On opening night I was a size 10, and at the closing night party I was a size eight. But I don’t fret about my size. I am not Posh Spice. I focus on honing my talent not toning my thighs.”