ANDREW Lloyd Webber got his girl on Saturday, when Pembrokeshire's Connie Fisher stole the hearts of the nation and walked away with the starring role in the new London Palladium production of The Sound of The Music after winning the BBC's How Do You Solve A Problem like Maria?

Life will never be the same for Connie Fisher who has already found fame.

People stopped her in the street in London on Monday congratulating her and wishing her well.

It was only 36 hours since Pembrokeshire supporters were kept at the edge of their seat as Connie made her final bid for the coveted role of Maria in the West End revival of The Sound of Music.

The 23-year-old call centre worker, from Hayscastle, had won her way through to the final of the BBC TV talent show How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria.

After seven weeks of hard work, sweat and tears, she found herself in a head-to-head with finalist Helena Blackman.

She came out on top and a star was born.

"Thank you for making my dream come true," she told viewers. "Every night will be opening night. I feel on top of the world. I won't let you down."

Connie, a firm favourite with Andrew Lloyd Webber, two of the judges, theatre producer David Ian and musical theatre actor John Barrowman and the bookies, starts rehearsals on Monday for the show which will be staged at the London Palladium from November 14th.

Advance ticket sales are set to break all records.

Andrew Lloyd Webber has confirmed that Connie will sing in six out of the eight possible performances a week.

Emma Williams, who previously starred in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, will play the lead on the other nights.

Connie told the Western Telegraph that later this week she would be working with the cast to make an album of the show and is already talking with Polydor Record company about the possibility of making her own album.

"I hope people in Pembrokeshire will come to see the show, that they will enjoy themselves and will come to the stage door afterwards so I can meet them."