Sacked fat lady finally sings

An opera singer who was sacked from the Royal Opera House for being overweight has been rehired after losing almost half her weight.

Deborah Voigt was dropped from the title role in Ariadne Auf Naxos at Covent Garden two years ago as it was felt that at 20st she would not suit her costume, a little black dress.

But after undergoing stomach surgery, the American soprano, is heading back to London to appear in next year's production of the same opera. Her spokesman, Albert Imperato, said: "She's very excited. She's definitely felt like: 'I've not had a chance to really build my career in London, it's a major opera capital.' It was very sad for her that she didn't get a chance to do Ariadne originally."

Adriadne is normally presented on a stylised Greek island with the singers wearing togas, but the 2004 production was in modern dress.

At the time, Miss Voigt hit out at the casting director of the Opera House, saying: "I have big hips and Convent Garden has a problem with them. Or at least their casting director Peter Katona has the problem." Miss Voigt, who lost 91/2st, has made Ariadne her signature role and sung it to acclaim in opera houses around the world.