Interview - Connie Fisher

Connie tells us all about the live events

How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? winner Connie Fisher has been helping the public to find their singing voices at a series of I'd Do Anything live music events. We caught up with her at the latest sing-a-long session in London for a quick chat.

How many of these events have you attended now?

I've been to the Cardiff event and also to the London ones. Cardiff is quite close to home for me, being in Wales. It's been very exciting.

Yesterday we had two shows and today we have two more. It's been a thrill for me to go home to Cardiff and actually see some familiar faces in the audience. A lot of the people I have sung with before were there.

The audience sounded great today. Has the standard of singing been as high at the other events you've been to?

Absolutely. Everyone can not only hold a tune but also has a really good voice quality. It's amazing to just go around with a microphone and just listen to them all individually. They are a talented bunch and I'm just glad I'm not in a competition with them!

Have you been watching I'd Do Anything?

I have been watching it. I have a friend, Francesca, who was in the competition. She got voted off unfortunately but I'm still watching.

Do you have a favourite Nancy left in the competition?

I do. I don't like to say it in front of the other Nancys, I mean they're all my favourites, but I'm a big fan of Jodie and I have been since day one.

Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to make a career in musical theatre and music in general?

I think it's really important to join a choir or get involved with your local amateur dramatics society. If that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, the easiest and the quickest way, is to download the Pick Pocket Guide To Singing. It tells how to find your nearest singing teacher, your nearest choir and give advice to help you get into warming up and things like that. It's full of top tips to help you find your voice.

Do you have any advice for the winning Nancy?

Lesley Garret once said to me that 'performance is 90 percent confidence' and I think she's spot-on there. I think that whoever goes out there on the opening night, be it Jodie, Jessie or Sam has to perform with commitment and attack. That's what we were trying to encourage today. We know they've got voices out there in the audience but we wanted to find the attack of the performance and the diction. They also need energy.

I think my only other advice for the Nancys, having been through the same process, is to enjoy every second and don't let fear get in the way.

Do you remember your own finals night?

I don't remember finals night very well, but I remember them saying 'Connie' and me pulling a very funny face because it's always played back to me on television! I couldn't quite believe that I'd won and I was in the clouds for many weeks and months.

What's next for Connie?

Well, I've just finished filming a drama for ITV. It was something completely new for me and it was nice to step out of that musical theatre box. It's all about Elvis and it's going to be shown at Christmas.

Next, I'm not sure, but opportunities are like buses; you've just got to wait for the next one. Hopefully I'll be able to get a bit more involved in things like we've been doing today. It's really nice being able to encourage people who ordinarily might not think they have a voice to sing out loud and proud.

Click here to read about the I'd Do Anything Musical Events, including pictures galore!