Strictly in Fix Row Over Sarah Hadland's West End Background

Actress Sarah Hadland, who is set to be announced as one of the Strictly Come Dancing contestants this year, is a trained dancer with West End experience.

Hadland started her dance journey with training from the age of three, and went to the Laine Theatre Arts College in Epsom – where she was a contemporary of Victoria Beckham who also learned how to dance and sing there.

Hadland danced in West End productions of Cats and Grease before she became famous as an actress and it can be revealed that the BBC have been asking her for a decade to take part in the show.

Hadland, 53, who made her name as Miranda’s sidekick Stevie in the celebrated BBC sitcom admits that she is a ‘superfan’ of the show and can understand why contestants who are dance trained, like her, come in for criticism.

Actress Sarah Hadland, who is set to be announced as one of the Strictly Come Dancing contestants this year, is a trained dancer with West End experience

She said: ‘I enjoy watching people make a journey, but equally it is nice to see people who have had training and are good.

‘I know people get very irate about it, but you do want them to be a certain level of ability cos it’s nice to watch people who are really good. ‘

She added: ‘I think the dream is what they’ve got, which is some celebrities who obviously have done a bit of training but so what, they’re fabulous to watch, and equally there are people like Jeremy Vine who I will vote for every week because for me he epitomises what dance is, which is someone going out there regardless of their ability and loving it, which he clearly is.’

‘So how can I not enjoy it and be enthused to dance myself cos I just 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 I found it fascinating.’

She said: ‘I have been asked to do Strictly a few times, which I’m deeply flattered about. I still have to kind of pinch myself that I’m being asked, but it’s a bit of a tricky one for an actor.

‘I’m never quite sure if it’s a good thing to do or not. And also I’m such a fan of the programme I don’t know if I’d actually want to be on it because I enjoy watching it so much. So until now I’ve resisted, but if I did do a reality show that would be the only one I would consider.’

Of her prospects on the show she said: ‘I think I might fall between two stools. It was a long time ago that I danced, so I think I might fall into that category of people thinking I’m better than I actually am.’

Hadland danced in West End productions of Cats and Grease before she became famous as an actress and it can be revealed that the BBC have been asking her for a decade to take part in the show

Miranda Hart, her co-star and friend, is also a huge Strictly fan. Hadland said: ‘ We love watching it and being fans of it (pictured on Miranda with Hart)

Miranda Hart, her co-star and friend, is also a huge Strictly fan. Hadland said: ‘ We love watching it and being fans of it. I think there’s something about that – it’s lovely having a Strictly discussion.’

Hadland has been in the audience of Strictly a number of times and has also been on the spin off, It Takes Two.

This year’s officially announced contestants this year so far include pop star Toyah Willcox, Tasha Ghouri, the former Love Island contestant 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’s thought that there will be a total of six women and nine men taking part, an unusual gender split which may reflect trouble in recruiting female stars after the scandal involving Graziano di Prima ‘hitting’ and ‘kicking’ his partner last year, Zara McDermott.

The BBC has investigated allegations that dancer Giovanni Pernice abused his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington last year and a report is expected imminently.

STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024

Chris McCausland

Age: 46

Profession: Comedian

Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’

Dr. Punam Krishan

Age: Unknown

Profession: GP and broadcaster

Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.’

Toyah Willcox

Age: 66

Profession: Singer, actor, presenter

Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’

Pete Wicks

Age:36

Profession: Reality star

Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in.’