Singer Martine exhausted

Sick note: Martine McCutcheon is exhausted, says a doctor

Actress and singer Martine McCutcheon has been ordered to rest for 48 hours after a doctor diagnosed her as suffering from exhaustion.

McCutcheon, who made her name as barmaid Tiffany in EastEnders, has had to pull out of personal appearances to promote her single I'm Over You, which is set to enter the top 10 on Sunday.

Support act: Ronan Keating replaced McCutcheon in Sheffield

The singer had to cancel a signing session at a branch of the HMV chain in Sheffield on Thursday. Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating filled in for her at the last minute.

Her spokesman said: "She has been ordered to bed for 48 hours because she is suffering from exhaustion. She's had to cancel everything."

Among the commitments McCutcheon has had to cancel is an appearance on ITV's pop show SM:TV Live on Saturday.

In Sheffield, Virgin bosses compensated disappointed fans by handing out free copies of I'm Over You, which is in line to reach number two on Sunday after selling more than 35,000 copies.

The Spice Girls are virtually guaranteed the number one position after selling 60,000 copies of their comeback track Holler.

An HMV spokesman said it was "fantastic" that Ronan Keating was able to fill in for McCutcheon in Sheffield, and added: "Obviously, we hope Martine gets well soon."