SINGER Marti Webb has cancelled an appearance this evening at Brighton's Theatre Royal because of flu.

Hundreds of fans who booked tickets for The Magic of the Musicals show were being phoned today telling them of the leading lady's absence.

Gareth Stringer, a spokesman for the singer, said: "She is recovering from a bad case of the flu at her London home. She has been fighting it off for a few days but it finally caught up with her.

"Ticket holders will be offered the chance to see her planned performances at the theatre on Friday and Saturday."

Theatre manager Roger Neil said he is expecting to hear tomorrow morning if performances planned for tomorrow night, Friday and Saturday will go ahead.

He said: "We are contacting everyone we can who has booked but inevitably there will be some people who will turn up at the door and we obviously extend our apologies to them."

The show features songs from hit shows including Cats, Beauty and the Beast, Blood Brothers and Evita.

People with tickets for tonight should contact the theatre to arrange a refund.

The singer's career took off 20 years ago when she starred in the first Broadway production of Evita.

The Theatre Royal box office can be reached on 01273 328488.

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