Miranda star Sarah Hadland, 53, has been issued a stark warning by a previous Strictly finalist as she prepares for the 2024 finale on Saturday.
Hadland will face off against Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill and Chris McCausland for the chance to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
The 53-year-old dances with reigning pro champion Vito Coppolla and will be hoping to repeat his previous year’s success.
The pair finished middle of the pack in the judge’s leaderboard by the end of last weekend’s semi-final.
Hadland has so far avoided the dreaded dance-off and has continued to impress judges with her routines.
However, Erin Boag has issued a warning to the 53-year-old about her dancing ahead of the finale.
Boag was a Strictly professional dancer from 2004-12, reaching the finals several times in her long career with the show.
“Sarah’s got to be very careful,” Boag said, adding: “When she gets excited Sarah does get excited when she dances and that it comes through.”
Boag observes that when Hadland is excited during her dances her “shoulders go up” which disturbs the all-important body shape, central to the flow of a routine.
The former Strictly pro believes Hadland’s shoulders issue is something she has struggled with the whole series.
“I think it’s going to be what she should be working on the entire time,” Boag advised ahead of the final.
The 49-year-old dancer also praised Hadland for “giving everything she’s got” in her performances.
Boag revealed she had “spotted Sarah right at the beginning” of the competition because of her “amazing” footwork.
She estimated that Hadland “probably” had a background in dance, like ballet.
“It’s great to see a lady in her 50s do so amazingly well on Strictly,” Boag added.
The Strictly legend glowed about Hadland’s “Jive energy” and concluded that she “thoroughly deserved her spot in the final”.
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Despite her praise, Boag did not back Hadland to lift the Glitterball trophy. Instead, she predicted Chris McCausland would be named the champion.
Boag admitted that McCausland was not the best dancer but on balance deserved to win, as all four finalists did.
“Not always the best dancer wins, the most deserving or entertaining, most emotional and person with the biggest journey, the person with the biggest story. The winner will be Chris,” the former pro said.
Hadland will be hoping to improve her chances with three routines. She and Coppola chose to dance a Cha Cha to Like A Prayer by Madonna.
Meanwhile, the judges have requested the pair perform a Show Dance to Cabaret by Metropole Orkest and an American Smooth to Proud by Heather Small.
