Strictly finalist Sarah Hadland has said the show has helped her escape the limits she puts on herself as a 53-year-old Mum.

Ms Hadland, the second oldest woman in this year’s competition, said that her partner Vito Coppola‘s early belief in her abilities ‘annoyed’ her as she was adamant she knew her body and what she couldn’t do.

She said: ‘It’s made me realize that I have actually put limits on myself. This is quite a common thing when you’re a parent, I think sometimes you put all your energy into other things, and then I think what happens is you put all your belief in other people, and you don’t do it for yourself.’

But the Miranda actress shocked herself regularly featuring near the top of the leaderboard with increasingly daring dance moves which saw her thrown around the ballroom.

She said she regrets initially holding herself back. She said: ‘The shocking thing for me was it was me doing that to myself. You shouldn’t ever reach a point in your life that you think that’s me, that’s my limit. You shouldn’t do that because you’re stopping all these possibilities from happening.’

The actress is one of the favourites to pick up the Glitterball trophy at Saturday’s final, where she hopes to impress with an American Smooth, a Showdance, and a repeat of their Cha Cha to Madonna‘s Like A Prayer.

Strictly finalist Sarah Hadland has said the show has helped her escape the limits she puts on herself as a 53-year-old Mum

+4
View gallery

The energetic pairing did reveal that they had some disagreements in the rehearsal rooms. Hadland said: ‘Vito must say many times a day. “Stop talking. Stand still. Stop talking”‘

Mr Copolla explained the Madonna tribute was ‘very special’ for Hadland. He said: ‘We did it for all women who, like you, are strong, independent and you want to give power and confidence. So we did when we chose this dance for you, because it’s special.’

Her mum Beaky is her biggest fan cheering her on in the studio audience each week, but she has found fault with her daughter.

After she watched Hadland stood with her fellow contestants during the result’s show, her mum told her: ‘Why can’t you two just stand still? Everybody else is standing beautifully. They’re calm. They’re looking at the camera. They’re not fidgeting and then I get to you two.’

The energetic pairing did reveal that they had some disagreements in the rehearsal rooms.

Hadland said: ‘Vito must say many times a day. “Stop talking. Stand still. Stop talking”.’

‘And I say “I know, but can I just say something?”‘

‘And he says “I don’t need you to tell me. I can just have a look. I don’t need this explanation”.’

During one of their bickering matches she revealed that she told him how hard it was to learn to dance and the actress said she would like to see him learn a monologue in a week.

Her mum Beaky is her biggest fan cheering her on in the studio audience each week, but she has found fault with her daughter

Vito responded by saying ‘This is not Strictly Come Acting. I am happy to go away and learn a monologue. But this is not what people are voting for.’

Despite their humorous disputes, the duo have become firm friends and Vito said he will bombard her with video calls even on Christmas day.

He said: ‘You cannot get rid of me. That’s me. Now you have Vito in your life, you have Vito forever.’

Asked about how it will be saying goodbye to the Italian dancer, she said: ‘Vito is constantly messaging me, make sure you eat good food, get some rest. Do this. Or we’ll send each other videos or messages. It will be very, very strange when it’s over.’

‘I feel like I’m living in Technicolor, and then I’m going to be living in black and white.’

+4
View gallery

The actress is one of the favourites to pick up the Glitterball trophy at Saturday’s final, where she hopes to impress with an American Smooth, a Showdance, and a repeat of their Cha Cha

It comes as the actress has revealed she is working on a script for a new comedy about a dance instructor with Peter Kay’s Car Share writer.

She said: ‘I would love to do some kind of comedy about a dancing teacher. That has always been my goal. Vito could be in it, but I would love to be a dancing teacher.’

The Job Lot star added: ‘I’m writing with Paul Coleman, who co-wrote Car Share and The Power of Parker, and we’re developing something at the minute on that idea. Watch this space. Hopefully something might happen.’

Strictly Come Dancing The Final airs on Saturday night at 6pm on BBC One.