Julie Andrews has lost the ability to sing

Sound of Music star Julie Andrews has revealed that after a throat operation went wrong, she no longer has the ability to sing as she used to.

Andrews, 74, whose vocals once spanned four octaves, had undergone surgery in 1997 to remove non-cancerous nodules from her throat, but the operation left her unable to sing.

The actress then filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against doctors at New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, but settled the case out of court in 2000.

According to the National Enquirer, she has struggled to regain her singing voice ever since and is struggling to come to terms with losing her vocals forever.

"My voice is pretty much non-existent, but what can you do? Life has a way of throwing things at you that you never expected," The Daily Express quoted Andrews as telling a close pal.

But the thought of never being able to sing again is causing Andrews serious heartache.

"Julie is trying to put on the best face possible, but it's killing her that she can no longer sing like she used to. It must be agony," a source told the tabloid.

"She loves to work and dreads retirement, and wishes she could still use her God-given talent," the source added.