'She has become a national treasure': Soap star Kara Tointon impresses viewers with 'mesmerising' vocals as she makes musical debut in The Sound Of Music Live

By Sharnaz Shahid for MailOnline

Published: 18:45 EST, 20 December 2015 | Updated: 07:23 EST, 21 December 2015

She had a tough act to follow, taking on the lead role of governess Maria Rainer in The Sound Of Music Live - the iconic character made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 film.

But viewers have hailed Kara Tointon’s musical debut as a huge success thanks to her mesmerising performance and incredible vocal talents.

The former EastEnders actress, who appeared in the one-off ITV broadcasting event on Sunday night, sang various classics including Do-Re-Mi and My Favourite Things.

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'She has become a national treasure': Viewers have hailed Kara Tointon’s musical debut as a huge success thanks to her mesmerising performance and incredible vocal talents

One tweeter wrote: ‘@karatointon you have just made yourself a national star and treasure.’

Another added: ‘@karatointon you have just lifted the bar to a whole new level for family entertainment. Well done babe.’

Meanwhile, Kara also received heaps of praise from fellow stars including Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, Coronation Street’s Hayley Tamaddon and TOWIE’s Ferne McCann.

Kimberley, 34, tweeted: ‘Ok so I'm seriously behind with #SoundOfMusicLive but I have to say @karatointon is amazing! Loving it!’

The Hills Are Live! The former Strictly champ impressed audiences with her 

The Hills Are Live! The former Strictly champ impressed audiences with her 

Opinion: One tweeter described the stars a 'national treasure' thanks to her mesmerising performance and incredible vocal talents

Opinion: One tweeter described the stars a 'national treasure' thanks to her mesmerising performance and incredible vocal talents

Impressed: A viewer wrote, 'WOW just WOW. Ms Andrews is a hard act to follow but you smashed it!!! Fantastic show'

Impressed: A viewer wrote, 'WOW just WOW. Ms Andrews is a hard act to follow but you smashed it!!! Fantastic show'

Huge hit: Fans took to their social media sites during the one-off ITV broadcasting event on Sunday night

Huge hit: Fans took to their social media sites during the one-off ITV broadcasting event on Sunday night

‘Congratulations @karatointon and the whole cast! It was incredible! Now go celebrate!!! #SoundOfMusicLive,’ gushed soap star Hayley.

Kara starred opposite Julian Ovenden as Captain Georg Von Trapp, the widower whose seven children she looks after and grows to fall in love with.

Alexander Armstrong took on the role of Max Detweile, Katherine Kelly portrayed Baroness Schrader and GBBO’s Mel Giedroyc played housekeeper Frau Schmidt, while her sister Coky Giedroyc took helm as director.

Stellar: Trained singer Julian Ovendon impressed as Captain Georg Von Tramp

Stellar: Trained singer Julian Ovendon impressed as Captain Georg Von Tramp

Melting their hearts: As Maria, the Von Trapp children finally learned how to behave like chldren

Melting their hearts: As Maria, the Von Trapp children finally learned how to behave like chldren

Impressive: Viewers couldn't believe the high production values of the live show

Impressive: Viewers couldn't believe the high production values of the live show

The Sound of Music has long been a theatre staple around the world since its Broadway debut in 1959 thanks to its catchy original songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Kara recently opened up about her nerves at taking on the big musical numbers, telling The Telegraph, ‘Singing is my Achilles heel. It’s unbelievably scary for me.'

Despite the pressure of the live format, she said: ‘I’m excited by the live element. There are going to be little hiccups but that’s the nature of it.’

Team effort: Kara starred opposite Julian Ovenden as Captain Georg Von Trapp, the widower whose seven children she looks after and grows to fall in love with

Team effort: Kara starred opposite Julian Ovenden as Captain Georg Von Trapp, the widower whose seven children she looks after and grows to fall in love with

All-star cast: She was also joined by Alexander Armstrong (Max Detweiler), Katherine Kelly (Baroness Schrader) in the musical

All-star cast: She was also joined by Alexander Armstrong (Max Detweiler), Katherine Kelly (Baroness Schrader) in the musical

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