TELESALES worker Connie Fisher could never have predicted how much her life would change when she auditioned for Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash hit TV show, How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

Being able to quit her nine-to-five job and step into the shoes of her childhood idol Julie Andrews was a big enough feat for the 26-year-old, but winning over the nation was another thing altogether.

Three years on and Connie's still the leading lady in The Sound of Music and is loving life more than ever.

"Winning the show was quite a long time ago now and my life has completely changed," the Pembrokshire sweetheart said.

"I was in telesales and then all of a sudden I was given this great opportunity to be a leading lady.

"I thought it would last a short period of time, but it seems to be a long run so I'm very lucky to have won and then to have had the opportunity to do the London Palladium, TV shows and go on tour.

"It's amazing as an actress trying to learn as much as I can."
If you believe in destiny then maybe stepping on to the stage as Maria Von Trapp was always on the cards for Connie.

"I absolutely adore Julie Andrews," she said. "I love the film The Sound of Music and I was actually privileged enough to meet Julie
Andrews in New York, which was amazing."

But the similarities between the two actresses don't end with them sharing the same role in the iconic musical.

Connie recalls many people commenting on the resemblance between her and the much-loved actress.

And since taking to the stage after winning the primetime TV show, Connie has managed to make her own mark on her character.

Despite having sung the songs a thousand times, she has still not tired of the much-loved tale of the von Trapp family.

And with the show recruiting a new cast as it hits the road for a full UK tour after a spell on the West End, Connie has been given a fresh spin to work with.

"I'm really enjoying it," she said. "In fact much more than the Palladium show. I'm having a really good time with it.

"Maria is a great character to play. There's so much to her and I discover new things about her all the time."

And with the tour looking like it's going to run until February, Connie won't be finding herself out of a job any time soon.

But 2010 brings with it a new challenge for Connie because the talented actress will be swapping The Sound of Music for another show, The Wedding Planner.

But she won't be stepping into the shoes of Jennifer Lopez for an adaptation of the 2001 smash hit film, she'll be taking centre stage in her very own show when she starts planning her wedding.

As for other things Connie would like to have a go at?

"Looking ahead to the future I'd love to record another album and I'd like nothing more than to have a role in Doctor Who, I mean who wouldn't?

"I'm a very ambitious girl who just keeps on climbing mountains."

The North East leg of the tour yodels its way to the Sunderland Empire from November 17 to December 5.

A collaboration between Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and The Really Useful Group, The Sound of Music features the classic songs My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev'ry Mountain and The Lonely Goatherd.

Joining Connie on stage as Georg von Trapp is Michael Praed.
For tickets phone 0844 847 2499 or visit www.sunderlandempire.org.uk