Chris McCausland and Sarah Hadland on Strictly Come Dancing

Stand-up Chris McCausland and comic actor Sarah Hadland are amongst the celebrities taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024. Here they talk about preparing for the dance competition.

Chris McCausland

When you got the call inviting you to take part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024, what made you say yes?

The good thing about stand-up is that a lot of the opportunities that come along on the back of it tend to be things that are outside of your comfort zone. I have found that the further out of my comfort zone I put myself, the more incredible the experience has been. Strictly is so far outside of my comfort zone that it might as well be on the moon. By that rationale, I think it could be the best thing I've ever done. Or three weeks I'll never live down!

Describe Strictly in one word or phrase.

Unknown - I've never watched it, for obvious reasons, and I don't get anything really from going back and listening to an episode. I've got no idea what I'm getting myself into!

The series is 20 years old this year. What were you doing 20 years ago?

Twenty years ago I was on the open mic comedy circuit. I had been doing stand-up for about a year and was working in a call centre selling employment law manuals to human resource managers - living the dream eh!

How does it feel to be a part of the momentous 20th anniversary series?

It's such a hugely loved show, it's nice to be on it as it hits a big milestone like that.

What have you heard about Strictly from people close to you?

My best mate's wife is obsessed with Strictly, so she is probably the best source of information that I have. However, when she found out I was doing it she couldn't breathe properly and her head nearly exploded, and she hasn't been much use to me since. It's not a world I've ever been exposed to and it's hard to understate how things that other people take for granted are unknown to me. It wasn't until three weeks ago that I found out people get fake tans. Then I thought it was just one week, like a fake tan themed week.

There was also a point a few months ago where someone mentioned "if you make it as far as Blackpool," and so I thought that about half way through the series, the whole show just moves to Blackpool for the rest of the series. I thought that for about two months until somebody told me it was just for one week. I'm trying to get as much information as I can but I'm learning as I go. I have no preconceived ideas so I'm learning it all.

Which aspects of Strictly are you most looking forward to?

One thing I do like about making TV shows is working in a team. It's collaborative whereas stand up is really solitary. Everything I do as a comedian comes from my own head, and I'm in charge of all the decisions. So, on Strictly I am really looking forward to working with my dance partner every week, but also to be working as part of a large team who are all just trying to make a great show for people to watch.

Is there a dance that you're most looking forward to trying?

I keep joking that I'm looking forward to mosh pit week. That's what I grew up with. I grew up with metal and rock and head banging. Let's see if we can work that in. I'm more apprehensive about the dances where you're not in contact with your partner because I don't really know what that entails and how I will be able to navigate the stage on my own with any real degree of precision.

Do you have a signature dance move you always do at parties?

No, I don't dance. I stand in the corner pretending to watch everybody dance.

You said you used to be a bit of a mosher. Do you think you'll bring that to the ballroom in some capacity?

I think what you're going to get from me is a certain degree of non-conformist dancing because I won't be able to see the precision of what I'm trying to achieve. I think there's going to be, by default, a certain degree of my own version more so than other people because how precise can somebody be teaching me in four or five days. It would be so much easier to watch and see what you're trying to achieve. We'll see, it might work in my favour. It might not.

You're best known for your stand-up comedy. Do you think you'll incorporate some of that comedy into your performances? Or will you be taking it really seriously?

I'll take the show seriously but I won't take myself seriously. If we can do something funny then I'm all for that. Maybe I can bring some visual comedy into the dances. I'll be up for having a laugh with the judges, Tess and Claudia, I will be more in my comfort zone for those moments.

Do you think you'll be competitive with the other contestants?

I think it's really hard to be competitive with other people when you don't know what they are doing and how good they are. I won't be standing watching them every week and thinking I need to be better than that. I'll be able to hear the judges' comments but I suppose it would be like trying to copy a footballer by listening to the match report, so I think it's fair to say that I'll be competing with myself each week instead.

Sarah Hadland

When you got the call inviting you to take part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024, what made you say yes?

Sian Gibson. She was a big part in it. I feel like I've been in a Strictly closet for about 15 years and now I'm going, 'yes, I really, really, really do want to do Strictly, actually'. I'm so ready for it. When I first put my Strictly dress on I cried, which has apparently never happened in 20 years.

Describe Strictly in one word or phrase.

It has to be fabulous, doesn't it.

The show is 20 years old this year. What were you doing 20 years ago?

That is a very long time ago. I was going around in massive platform shoes. I honestly can't really remember but I think never in a million years would I have thought I'd be on Strictly. Ever.

How does it feel to be part of the momentous 20th anniversary series?

Really, really exciting. I think what we love as a nation is a feel good show that the whole family can watch. I was a part of a show like that when I did Miranda, and Strictly fits that brief too. Families love watching it because the grandparents can watch, parents can watch, kids can watch, and it unifies a family. It's quite a rare thing, which is why I think Strictly is so popular.

Do you have any standout moments from watching previous series?

Angela Rippon's leg.

I want to make a podcast called Angela Rippon's Leg Conspiracy Theories because I still don't think it's real. I think there was a system of pulleys and I will prove it. My other memory was Colin Jackson and Erin Boag when they danced with the puppets for their finale dance and lost the final. Also, I did love Jay McGuinness and Aliona's dance to Pulp Fiction, that is such an iconic dance.

Which aspects of Strictly are you most looking forward to?

The glam. Also the camaraderie of the group as I'm used to being thrown together with other actors but in this job you're meeting people from so many other walks of life. I'm a massive sports fan, so being with Sam Quek, Montell Douglas, Tom Dean - Olympians - is amazing. That's just so exciting.

Which dance you most looking forward to trying?

Jive. I like quick, hoppy things, I don't want to do anything slow which will be problematic.

Do you have a signature dance move that you always do at parties?

A lot of stomping around, it's quite an angry sort of dance. I like jumping around quite a lot.

Have you been eyeing up the competition. Any thoughts?

I think everyone looks really good.

You started your career on stage in musicals, so you're used to performing to a live audience. Do you think that will help you ahead of dancing live to the nation every Saturday night?

No because of the number of people watching. When you're in a live theatre, you're in control and it's not being filmed so it's just in that moment. The only people watching are in the theatre so 2,000 people maximum. Also, when you're acting on television you can do another take so you're always in control. You can't do that on Strictly. I might be the first person to stop and ask to start again.

In Miranda, Stevie's impression of Heather Small singing Proud is iconic. Would you dance to that song if you had the opportunity?

I think I probably have to. I've had so much on social media about that.

Your mum is a big fan of Strictly. What was her reaction when she found out you're taking part this year?

My mum is so happy I'm doing it. I think this is the happiest she's ever been about a job I'm doing. That was another factor in me saying yes to the show because I feel really lucky that I can do something to make her happy at this age, it's really special.