Strictly's Sarah Hadland: 'Trained Dancer' Raises Fairness Concerns
Miranda star Sarah Hadland's dance background has sparked debate among fellow Strictly Come Dancing hopefuls.
Sarah Hadland, renowned for her role as Stevie Sutton in the BBC sitcom Miranda, is set to grace the Strictly dancefloor later this year. But her hidden talent, as revealed by her friend and fellow actress Alex Kingston, has stirred concerns about fairness.
Kingston, best known for her role as River Song in Doctor Who, disclosed in 2019 that Hadland is a "trained ballet dancer". In an interview, she stated that she would be unable to participate in the same season as Hadland due to the inherent "unfair" advantage.
"Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much weâd like to do Strictly Come Dancing," Kingston shared. "Then I discovered that sheâs actually a trained ballet dancer. 'Hang on a minute! Thatâs not fair!â So, I canât do it on a season when she is on it!"
This revelation comes amidst a growing debate about the level of dance experience among this year's Strictly participants. Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, another contestant, also boasts contemporary dance training. She has voiced her own concerns about the challenges she faces, stating that she hasn't danced in several years and that her experience lies in commercial street style, not ballet.
"I may actually not be good at it," Ghouri admitted on Kiss FM. "Like ballet - I'm not good at ballet. It's going to be very hard, but I'm excited for a challenge."
Hadland, who has starred in a plethora of popular television shows including The Job Lot, Waterloo Road and That Mitchell and Webb Look, has also enjoyed a successful film career, appearing in the 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Her upcoming roles include a part in the BBC Three comedy Daddy Issues.
The announcement of Hadland's participation in Strictly follows the unveiling of other notable contestants, including blind comedian Chris McCausland, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, ex-Towie cast member Pete Wicks, Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean, and football pundit Paul Merson.
Musician Toyah Wilcox, Team GB hockey player Sam Quek, X Factor and Coronation Street star Shayne Ward, JLS singer GB Gill, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, TV doctor Punam Krishan, former Gladiator Montell Douglas, and Sarah Hadland round out the lineup.
As the anticipation for the new season builds, viewers are left wondering how Hadland's dance expertise will translate to the Strictly stage and if it will give her a significant advantage over fellow competitors. With a diverse and talented cast, this season of Strictly promises to be one full of surprises and captivating performances.
