Strictly is drawn into another fix row as rumoured contestant Sarah Hadland’s West End background is revealed but actress insists trained dancers are ‘fabulous to watch’ on the BBC show
Actress Sarah Hadland, who has been announced as one of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing contestants, is a trained dancer with experience in the West End.
Hadland began her dancing career at the age of three, attending the Laine Theatre Arts College in Epsom, where she was a contemporary of Victoria Beckham, who also learned to dance and sing there.
Hadland danced in West End productions of Cats and Grease before she found fame as an actress, and the BBC has reportedly been asking her to join the show for a decade.
Hadland, 53, who made her name as Miranda’s sidekick Stevie in the acclaimed BBC sitcom, admits she is a “superfan” of the show and can understand why contestants who trained in dance, like her, face criticism.
Actress Sarah Hadland, who has been announced as one of the contestants on Strictly Come Dancing this year, is a trained dancer with experience in the West End
In 2015, she said, “I like seeing people go on a journey, but it’s also nice to see people who have been educated and are good.
“I know people get really angry about that, but you want them to have a certain level of competence. It’s fun to see people who are really good.”
She added: ‘I think the dream is what they have, which is celebrities who have obviously trained a bit, but it’s fantastic to see them. And then there’s people like Jeremy Vine, who I will be voting for every week because to me he embodies what dancing is: someone who goes out and dances no matter what their level is and enjoys it. And that’s clearly the case.’
‘How can I not enjoy it and get excited about dancing myself, because I think: ‘That’s fantastic!’
In 2014, she wrote and starred in a comedy mockumentary about a dance school, Born to Dance, which was based on her experiences in the dance world. One character was based on a choreographer she knew: “who was so aggressive and bitter that I found it fascinating.”
She said: ‘I’ve been asked to do Strictly a few times, which I’m really happy about. I still have to pinch myself a bit that I’ve been asked, but it’s a tough one for an actor.
“I’m never sure if it’s a good idea to do it or not. And I’m such a fan of the show that I don’t know if I would want to do it because I enjoy watching it so much. So up until now I’ve resisted it, but if I were to do a reality show, that would be the only thing I would consider.”
On her prospects for the show, she said: “I think I’m kind of torn between two stools. It’s been a long time since I’ve danced, so I think I fall into the category of people who think I’m better than I actually am.”
Hadland danced in West End productions of Cats and Grease before she found fame as an actress and the BBC has famously been asking her to join the show for a decade
Miranda Hart, her co-star and friend, is also a huge Strictly fan. Hadland said: ‘We love watching it and being fans (Pictured with Miranda with Hart)
Miranda Hart, her co-star and friend, is also a huge Strictly fan. Hadland said: ‘We love watching it and we’re fans of it. I think there’s something about that – it’s lovely to have a Strictly discussion.’
Hadland has made a number of guest appearances on Strictly and also appeared in its spin-off It Takes Two.
Officially announced contestants so far include pop star Toyah Willcox, former Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri, who is also a trained dancer, reality TV star Pete Wicks, Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, JLS star JB Gill and blind comedian Chris McCausland.
It is thought that a total of six women and nine men will take part, an unusual gender split that could reflect problems in recruiting female stars following the scandal in which Graziano di Prima “punched” and “kicked” his partner, Zara McDermott, last year.
The BBC has launched an investigation into allegations that dancer Giovanni Pernice abused his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington last year, with a report expected shortly.
STRICT LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Occupation: Comedian
Chris says, “If there’s anyone out there who’s thinking, ‘How on earth is he going to do that?’ – I’m sure I’m thinking exactly the same thing.”
Doctor Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Occupation: general practitioner and announcer
Punam said: ‘I’ve watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that this is the 20th year. I can’t believe I’m the one getting Strictly-inspired now.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Occupation: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and loving this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan, the glitter. It’s a milestone year for me, I came in as a pensioner, Glasto and now I’m getting spray tans.’
Peter Wicks
Age:36
Occupation: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the crowd every Saturday? It’s absolutely terrifying. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m really looking forward to diving in.’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Occupation: Singer
JB says, “A lot of the ballroom styles are very foreign to me — I didn’t do those dances growing up. I’m not a trained dancer.”
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Occupation: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says, “What I’m nervous about is the things that involve jumping. I don’t necessarily want to do the jive, I’m a little nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Occupation: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little. It’s a real Ghouri family favourite. So this is a dream come true.’