Sarah Hadland addresses BBC Strictly lift blunder after fans spark ‘favouritism’ row: ‘Quite surreal’

Strictly Come Dancing star Sarah Hadland addressed the awkward blunder she and partner Vito Coppola encountered on Saturday night, which in turn sparked a favouritism row amongst viewers.

On Saturday evening, Hadland and Coppola performed the Argentine Tango and scored a near-perfect 38 from the judges – with two 10s from Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.

However, at the beginning of their performance, it was clear Hadland struggled to get into the lift as the heel of her shoe got caught on her dress.

Coppola managed to execute the lift and continue their performance, but it was something that Craig Revel Horwood couldn’t ignore.

Giving his feedback, he quipped: “You had a little problem getting into the first lift but I think that was to do with a heel and a dress and all of that stuff. You’re missing your passes through your feet.”

Fans of the show were left outraged with the score they had received and took to their social media to express their annoyance.

“The opening was clumsy, and the dance didn’t look like an Argentine tango,” one fan hit out before a second noted: “Totally over marked!!! Sorry guys, lots of mistakes and awkward leg action. Not classy. Not your best dance.”

And a third blasted: “How can it be a 10, when first lift a complete mess, didn’t enjoy the dance, no connection, looked very messy.”

And a sixth echoed the favouritism claims: “Way overmarked!!! Heavy lifts, first one messed up, messy footwork as always. Crazy over marking this year!”

However, not all were angry as someone else praised: “Wow wow wow WOW!! Motsi was right, dance of the night! Well done Sarah & Vito, you deserve those 10s!” (sic)

Hadland and Coppola joined It Takes Two host Fleur East tonight to discuss their performance, leaving the Miranda actress to address the blunder.

East asked: “Congratulations on your Argentine Tango! Your highest score so far, all the effort was worth it! What emotions kicked in for you afterwards?”

Hadland replied: “I think we both… we had a chat about this before. Because the lift didn’t go, my heel got caught in my dress, in which I had to pull away.

“Then meant I was quite far back and I don’t know how he did this, it was like he managed to get me up in the air and then I think we both just galvanised.

“I was like ‘Ok, if he can deadlift me, I’m going, I have got to bring my A-game. This man has just gone…’

“And I felt like we just became… it was quite surreal actually. It was the most focused I have ever been in my whole life.”

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This weekend, the couple will be performing the Cha Cha to Like A Prayer by Madonna for Icons Week.

The brand-new special week will see the Strictly Come Dancing stars pay tribute to some of the most recognisable and influential people in the music industry.