BBC Strictly star Sarah Hadland says 'I'm alive aren't I' in daring 'crush' admission

The actress is known for her role in BBC sitcom Miranda

Actress Sarah Hadland has confessed to having a crush on what of her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars. The 53-year-old joked "I'm alive aren't I" when asked if she found her pro-dancer partner, Vito Coppola, attractive.

She said: "What a ridiculous question to ask me. Yes, I fancied him. I’m alive, aren’t I?" she replied. "If you’re female and have a heartbeat, how could he NOT be anybody’s type?"

Talking to The Sun before their passionate paso doble dance which they performed to Gala’s Freed From Desire, Sarah revealed how close they were getting in rehearsals and the effect it was having on her.

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The actress, who is known for her role as Stevie Sutton in BBC sitcom Miranda, said: "The paso doble we’re doing this week is very serious and sensual, and when we started learning it I was very, very giggly.

"I kept the eye to camera because there’s a lot of, I’m going to call ‘tuppence to thigh’... There’s a lot of groin to thigh, and I have to look deep into his eyes - which makes it ten times worse."

Speaking of her personal life, she added: "I haven’t got energy for both. I’ll be honest - I can either do the dance or have an affair, but I can’t do both. I’m committed to the dance now."

As for 32-year-old Vito, he remains firmly focused on show, especially after he lifted the Glitterball trophy in 2023, Mirror reports. Speaking of the new series, he said: "It’s another journey.

"I define myself as a mirror teacher. I don’t have just one way of teaching and the celebrity or whatever student has to adapt on me - it’s the other way around. I adapt and I suit.

"The way I was teaching to [former Strictly partner] Fleur East is different to the way I was teaching Ellie. And it’s different from the way that I’m teaching Sarah. That is why it’s important to really get to know the person."

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Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse. Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide:

1. End the two-child benefit cap
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3. Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials
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5. Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants
6. Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods
7. Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar
8. Provide free public travel for young people

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