Downgraded, so the 'other Maria' solves her problem by leaving show.

The alternate Maria has dropped out of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new stage production of The Sound of Music.

Emma Williams had been officially contracted to share the role with the winner of the BBC TV contest.

But she is said to have been angered after her part in the musical, which opens in November, was downgraded.

Now Connie Fisher, who landed the prize role of convent girl Maria von Trapp in BBC1's How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? will cover eight performances a week.

A statement from Lloyd Webber and Williams said: "Following the casting of trained actress Connie Fisher ( the winner of the TV reality show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? and discussions with the producers, Emma Williams, who it was anticipated would play the alternate Maria, has withdrawn her services from the production. Connie will now play all eight performances a week, unless indisposed in which case she would be covered in the usual manner by the understudy.

"Emma, who first rose to prominence in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, looks forward to working with Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian, The Really Useful Group, Live Nation and Jeremy Sams in the future and wishes Connie every success with the role."

This week Fisher, 23, described herself as a "full-time Maria", and insisted she would perform every night in the show if she was allowed to.

Lord Lloyd Webber decided to cast an unknown after Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson backed out.

Fisher, from Pembrokeshire, Wales, was classically trained from the age of 12.

The West End revival opens at the London Palladium on November 14.