Connie's vocal cord surgery worry

Connie Fisher won the part of Maria in 2006

Sound of Music star Connie Fisher has been forced to cancel her solo tour after being diagnosed with a vocal cord condition.

Vocal specialists in the US have said Fisher, 25, will need surgery if she is ever to perform again.

They said the condition - called congenital fusion anomalies - would have been with her from birth and it was a "miracle" she had ever sung.

Her 14-date Secret Love tour was due to take her across the UK in May and June.

The Pembrokeshire singer won the BBC talent show How Do You Solve Problem Like Maria? in 2006.

She played the lead role of Maria in the London Palladium and has signed up to play the role again during its national tour, produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The former call centre worker is due to open with the musical at Cardiff's Millennium Centre next August.

Her management could not say if she would continue in the production but said she had to cancel the Secret Love tour, which was due to visit theatres across the UK in May and June, including a return to Wales in Rhyl.

Effectively how Connie Fisher has ended up having a singing career is nothing short of miracle Bedlam Management Ltd

In a statement, her management Bedlam Management Ltd, said: "Following consultations with vocal specialists in the US it has been decided that for Connie Fisher to have any chance to perform again a procedure on her vocal cords has to be carried out.

"Connie's doctor has advised her that the situation she finds herself in has been with her from birth.

"This condition is known as "congenital fusion anomalies", he has said that it is not uncommon in general, however, in singers, he has never experienced or heard of this situation before.

"Effectively how Connie Fisher has ended up having a singing career is nothing short of miracle.

"Connie is obviously very disappointed and upset that she is not be able to do the concert tour, but we wish her a full recovery."

Soon after starting as Maria in the Sound of Music at the London Palladium, Fisher was told to cut down the number of shows she performed each week on the advice of doctors.

She also had to take a fortnight off after damaging her vocal cords.

Since leaving the West End musical in 2007, to be replaced by Summer Strallen, Fisher has recorded an album and was seen in the ITV drama Caught in a Trap last Christmas.