Ailing Martine quits today

Martine McCutcheon quit My Fair Lady for good today on the advice of her doctors.

The former EastEnders star will not return to the West End production after she was told her voice could suffer permanent damage if she carried on.

It had been reported that she would continue as Eliza Doolittle until 8 December. However, her spokesman Simon Jones said today: "Martine has been in discussion with her doctors all morning. They have unfortunately concluded that she will not be returning to the stage from today."

Olivier Award-winning actress Joanna Riding will replace Miss McCutcheon next month but it is believed Miss McCutcheon's brilliant understudy, Alexandra Jay, 18, will take on the role meantime, and continue as understudy to Miss Riding.

Joanna Riding, 28, was recently in The Witches Of Eastwick and first starred on stage at the National several years ago in Carousel.

Miss McCutcheon, 25, is leaving the show, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, five months before her contract ends. Mr Jones said the star was "very disappointed" but apart from the threat to her voice, she is in good health.

"Martine has not yet come to any decision about what she will do next," he added. "There are a number of offers on the table."