EXCLUSIVE: Strictly Come Dancing star Sarah Hadland has admitted that she will not treat co-star Chris McCausland as a rival as the BBC competition show draws to a close

Strictly’s Sarah Hadland says she won’t treat Chris McCausland as a rival.The pair are competing for the Glitterball trophy on the BBC dance contest, which has millions gripped. If bookies are to be believed, it’ll be hot favourite Chris who nabs it – but Sarah insists she won’t mind.

Strictly’s Sarah Hadland says she won’t treat Chris McCausland as a rival.The pair are competing for the Glitterball trophy on the BBC dance contest, which has millions gripped. If bookies are to be believed, it’ll be hot favourite Chris who nabs it – but Sarah insists she won’t mind.

Just like the rest of the nation, she’s been staggered that he’s able to pull off such incredible routines despite being blind. Sarah says: “I will be happy if Chris wins. What he’s doing week on week is jaw-dropping. When you’re lucky enough to see it up close, it’s extraordinary.

“What Chris has done for the blind community is just wonderful. People like him are being represented on the show and it’s not like people are saying, ‘He’s doing well considering he’s blind’. He’s doing incredibly well, full stop. Those lifts he’s done are amazing.”

The star of the sitcom Miranda and the Scouse comedian might be pitted against each other on the show, but they’ve become close friends. Sarah adds: “Chris is hilarious and a lovely bloke. He’s a great laugh. We have lovely chats. He’s a lovely human being and so deserving, so I would be delighted for him if he won.”

Chris and Sarah will be going head to head in the final (Image: PA)

Ballroom dancing is famed for being very competitive, but Sarah found that’s not the case at Strictly. She says: “Sometimes when we’re rehearsing, another dancer will say, ‘What would be good is if you do this with your foot. They give you tips and that is so lovely. I wasn’t expecting that. People help each other.”

Sarah has also bonded with the other contestants: “With Strictly, you meet people you never would have crossed paths with otherwise. You form really lovely friendships. It’s incredible, I would happily go for a meal with everyone still on the show. We’re all really good mates. They’re lovely, we lift each other up. When people are dancing, we’re all screaming for them.”

Sarah is competing alongside her professional partner Vito Coppola (Image: PA)
“Rather than competing and wanting to be better than someone, we all want each other to be really good.” Sarah is competing with hunky pro dancer Vito Coppola: “When I first met Vito I straightaway thought, ‘This person has got loads of energy – that’s what I need.’

“I wanted someone who has a lot of energy, personality. I knew that would work for me. You have to go with your gut. We are both live wires. We are constantly saying we’re very similar.”

Sarah and Vito are getting through gruelling training sessions with plenty of comfort food and their secret weapon is something that has always famously divided the nation – Marmite spread. She says: “I’ve got Vito eating homely cuisine. I convinced him to try Marmite on toast and now he loves it. I explained that people love it or hate it. And now he loves it. He has it every day.