Citing a vocal condition which has seriously compromised her singing voice, she said in a press statement, "After many months of battling with a throat condition known as congenital sulcus vocalis, my vocal range has altered dramatically and it is with much regret that I have to withdraw from The Sound of Music as I no longer have the range to sing the part of Maria. My journey with this amazing show has been such a magical one and I am devastated that I am not able to close the tour. I have loved every minute of working with Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian and the cast and crew of The Sound of Music and I am only sorry that I am not able to be with them until the last performance."

She will be replaced by Verity Rushworth, who is best known for playing Donna Windsor in TV's "Emmerdale." In the West End, she has played Penny Pingleton in Hairspray.

The tour continues to Cardiff's Wales Millennium Centre (Aug. 23-Sept. 3), Manchester's Palace Theatre (Sept. 6-17), Newcastle's Theatre Royal (Sept. 20-Oct. 8), and the New Wimbledon Theatre in Southwest London (Oct. 11-22).

For full details, www.theosundofmusictour.com.