Whoopi Goldberg takes the shine off daughter's act

A Whoopi Goldberg fan travelled 50 miles to take her mother to see Sister Act only to find the star was not there.

Sandra Jordan-Hayes, who had songs from the musical performed at her wedding, came in from Hampshire and spent £250 on the trip as a treat for her mother Gill.

But she arrived at the Palladium in Soho to find Goldberg, inset, was taking a break from the show and two other lead cast members were off sick.

Mrs Jordan-Hayes, 42, had emailed to check the actress would be on stage last Monday. "I think Whoopi is really fun," she said. I bought a programme for £3.50 and there was a slip of paper inside saying the role of Mother Superior would be played by the understudy. My mum and I were cheesed off."

Tim Leist of producers Stage Entertainment UK promised to look into whether incorrect information had been given, and "rectify" any mistake.