BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Sarah Hadland says it 'wouldn't be acceptable' after emotional performance

Sarah Hadland has told how if her latest Strictly Come Dancing performance had gone wrong it 'wouldn't have been acceptable' as she felt the pressure to pay tribute to acting legend Dame Maggie Smith.

The actress and her dance partner Vito Coppola performed a Viennese waltz to Hedwig’s Theme from the Harry Potter series, described as a tribute to the film's late star following her death last month, during the BBC One dance contest's Movie Week special.

In footage shared before their performance, Sarah expressed her "honour" of being able to play Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter-inspired dance. "I've always absolutely idolised Maggie Smith because she was arguably one of the best actors ever," she said. "She was my favourite professor," said reigning champion Vito as they agreed to dedicate the dance to the late actress.

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Following their performance, the pair received a standing ovation from the studio audience as judge Anton Du Beke praised their "beautiful dance" while Craig Revel Horwood told the pair that he "loved" the dance before they were awarded a score of 33 out of a possible 40.

Sarah and Vito have now appeared on The One Show, after making it through to week four of Strictly's 20th anniversary series, with host Alex Jones telling them on Tuesday night (October 8): "We have to congratulate you on Saturday night, it was tremendous. It was such a moving tribute to Dame Maggie Smith."

Asked if she felt pressure to pull off the performance, Sarah said on the BBC One show: "Yes, I'll be honest. Dame Maggie Smith is just a real icon and legend and I think all actresses adore her because she was amazing. So I did feel the extra pressure because I thought we can't go wrong, it won't be acceptable,

Vito added of their performance: "It was very magical. We were synchronised and I said to her 'let's move like we are one' and just bring the magic," to which Sarah agreed: "It was really magical."

It comes after Sarah and Vito's tribute earned great praise among viewers of the show but it was it was Sarah's final move, in which she held a magic wand towards the sky - in a nod to the 'wands up' moment film where final respects were paid to Professor Albus Dumbledore.

@LorrenWildexx said: "This had me sobbing all the way through!! The sweetest tribute to such an incredible actress…and that moment at the end had me gone. Wands are flying high for you Maggie #Strictly." @ethanundrell commented: "The wand up at the end had me a little choked up! What a gorgeous routine!"

@EchoCaz posted: "Appreciated the wand up at the end there. A fitting tribute to a wonderful actress and national treasure #Strictly." @EmScotcher shared: "Oh, the wand up at the end. The perfect extra touch. #Strictly." @amyx1990 added: "Sarah and Vito. Omg. One of my favourite ever Movie week dances. What a beautiful tribute to Dame Maggie Smith. That dance. That music. The wand raising at the end! I cried #Strictly."