It's kind of like living in Maria bubble - we don't get to read the papers and we are kept out of the public eye Connie Fisher

Now she hopes TV viewers will help win her the lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End version of The Sound of Music.

The 23-year-old is one of the hopefuls left in the BBC One talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

"I'm absolutely loving it," said Welsh-speaking Connie, who was raised by her parents and grandparents on a farm in the village of Haycastle.

Contestants compete for public votes to win the potentially career-making role.

When the first show hit the screens judges were bowled over by Connie's performance of Natural Woman.

Her version of the Lulu hit Shout this weekend was enough to secure her safe passage through to another week, as another one of those competing was eliminated from the show.

"The first show went really well and I was overwhelmed with the public support.

The Saturday night show is presented by Graham Norton

"I really want to make it to the final because I truly believe that this is the part for me and I just hope that the audience can see I would make a good Maria."

She sang at school and eisteddfods, and caught the acting bug when she joined the youth section of Pembrokeshire's Torch Theatre.

It was the company's production of Aladdin at Christmas that secured her first professional pay cheque, although since moving to London she has come close to winning other roles.

'Flying the flag'

"I've been trying to get my foot in the door and have got quite far at auditions but just never heard anything at the end - but that's the business."

The first class honours graduate of the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Wood Green, London, she added: "I've got the training and I've got the stamina for a six-month run in the West End.

"It's what I have worked really hard for and I feel ready."

Since the show started she has been living with the other contestants in one big house.

Julie Andrews starred in the 1965 film version of the musical

"We all get on really well but it's kind of like living in Maria bubble - we don't get to read the papers and we are kept out of the public eye.

"The weird thing is we are speaking to Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Ian on first name terms and it's quite surreal because it's not like anything I have ever done before."

She has spoken to a few of her teachers from her days at Haycastle Primary School and Sir Thomas Picton Comprehensive and also heard that a local newspaper was campaigning on her behalf.