There is something very British about resenting those who find success.

Ever since the public and press built Connie Fisher up to West End superstar status, many have been waiting eagerly for her downfall.

They crowed when she lost her voice after four months as Maria in The Sound of Music, rejoiced at rumoured fall outs with co-stars, revelled when her solo concert tour was cancelled and shook their heads in delight when the actress split from her long-term boyfriend in September.

In fact, read any of Connie’s press cuttings and the overall tone is one of false sympathy. But those busy lamenting her ‘failure’ may have overlooked her considerable – and continuing – achievements.

Since winning Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC talent show How do you Solve a Problem Like Maria in 2006, more than a million people have been to see Connie in The Sound of Music, making the revived Rodgers and Hammerstein musical one of the most popular shows ever to play the London Palladium.

The former telesales worker – who beat nine other hopefuls for the coveted leading lady role – has even impressed the hardened theatre critics, winning Most Promising Newcomer at the Critic’s Circle Awards.

Since her extended 18-month run as Maria came to an end last February, Connie has appeared alongside Alistair McGowan in They’re Playing Our Song, made her television debut in ITV drama Caught in a Trap on Christmas Eve and is about to embark on the Sound of Music tour which comes to The Mayflower in September.

Given the negative publicity, it’s no wonder the 25-year-old is a little guarded.

It seems she has become expert at looking on the bright side. She was “glad” her solo tour got pulled because “I can be Connie Fisher all the time. It’s nice to be in a musical and hide behind a character.”

And, she insists breezily, the Maria experience has lived up to all expectations.

“There was massive pressure in the beginning,” she admits. “There would have been for whoever won.

“But I kind of enjoyed that. I think I’m a sucker for punishment! The adrenaline keeps you going.

“My life changed overnight from the moment they said (pretends to shout) ‘Connie!’. I can hear it ringing in my ears as if it was yesterday.

“But life has settled as Maria and life after Maria was – is – really varied. It’s opened many doors that would never have opened and I’m just really grateful for everyone who spent 55p on me.”

Beyond the well-rehearsed answers, is a pleasant and friendly young woman. Connie is also more striking than I expected. None of Maria’s tomboyish looks are in evidence today at the official launch for The Sound of Music tour. Instead of the nun’s habit, she is wearing a fashionable tulip shaped mini dress and her cropped hair is dyed a vibrant red.

She seems almost apologetic about her unconventional route to the West End.

“There are people who are old-school and think you have to work your way up the ranks. But they appreciate that I did try to do that.”

Connie was trained at the Mountview Academy of Performing Arts.

“I wanted to start in ensemble and learn from the great leading ladies and men I was working with, but the show was an opportunity for me. Partly because I think I look different. I don’t fit a conventional role and it was nice to be accepted the way I was. I really felt cushioned by everybody’s support.”

And she disagrees that earning her role on a reality show was an easy option.

“It’s much harder than auditioning in front of two casting directors. You’re working really hard for millions of people who can bet on you, almost.

“I was so in need of a break and that break came along. I went for a year-and-a-half before any role that I was remotely right for came up, so when this came along I would have done anything for it.”

It was that determination which helped win over the voting public in 2006.

“I have an inner confidence now which I didn’t have before and I think that’s what they call presence,” says Connie who grew up in Dorset and later west Wales.

“As long as people are watching you that’s half the battle. Lesley Garrett told me it’s 90 per cent confidence and ten per cent talent. I believe that. As long as you exude confidence people are watching you.”

Poised she may be but Connie isn’t immune to nerves.

“I was shaking earlier,” she says, referring to her beautiful rendition of My Favourite Things in front of assembled media and theatre-goers at the launch.

“I am very superstitious. I have this thing about the number eight, they’re all over my dressing room. And bolts have always got to be upright.”

I broach the subject of fame and its effect on her personal life.

She stiffens. “It does cause strain on family and relationships. And press intrusion doesn’t help.

“I try to keep my private life private but it’s very difficult when they go to extremes, and they do sometimes follow you. The press are there to be positive most of the time but they can be harsh when they want to be.”

It must hurt reading that she “can’t handle a career in theatre” or that she supposedly had an affair with a crew member (something she has always denied).

“I never read negative things,” she says quickly. “I don’t read the positive either because then I have to read the bad. In the beginning I was compared to a monster from Dr Who because of my teeth and that was really harsh. And the guy who was writing it looked like the Elephant Man. I just thought, this is hypocrisy. I could easily do their job, I’d like to see them come and do mine.”

The physical pressure of being catapulted into the West End also took its toll on Connie, causing the singer to drop from a dress size 12-14 to a size eight.

“It wasn’t a bad size eight it was literally a toned, Climb Ev’ry Mountain size eight. But now I’m back to a size ten again and I’m happy with my own body.”

And, come the autumn, Connie will be scaling mountains with the Von Trapp family again as The Sound of Music hits the road.

“The tour is an extension of the leading lady experience,”

says Connie who grew up loving the film version.

“I couldn’t let anyone else play Maria on tour to be quite honest with you. I wanted to be a part of it and all the excitement.”

The entire London Palladium production – including the spectacular moving mountain backdrop – will be recreated for the tour.

“There’s no character nicer to play than Maria. She makes you feel happy and I wish I was more like her. I’m not very nun-like!

“But I think there are similarities between Julie Andrews and myself. When I met her she said she’d never met anyone so similar.”

While others are quick to dismiss Connie as a one trick pony, the star herself is already looking beyond The Sound of Music and harbours ambitions to play Mary Poppins and Hannah Bowles in Cabaret – dream roles she has already turned down because “the timing wasn’t right”.

“I never thought I’d win,” she enthuses. “I never thought I’d open the show and get such fabulous reviews or stay in as long as I did.

“To be sat behind a telesales desk knowing no one was listening to you and then all of a sudden people appreciating what you do and applauding and awarding you for something you love doing – it’s just bonkers.”