There are always going to be standout performances on the first night of Strictly Come Dancing – and what a mega start to the competition it's been for Sarah Hadland ! The actress took to the floor with professional dance partner Vito Coppola for a Quickstep to 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton and it not only got the audience up on their feet and the judges singing their praises, it went on to become the highest scoring Quickstep ever for week 1 of the show. Craig Revel Horwood simply described the performance as "fantastic" while Motsi Mabuse said: "Honestly, what a year it's going to be, starting the Quickstep like that – fast, rhythmical, great hold, great timing, well done." Shirley Ballas added: "Entertaining, great footwork, just love this pairing!" Presenter Tess Daly turned to Hadland and said "what a start" and ushered the pair off to get their scores.
Back upstairs with the rest of the stars and Claudia Winkleman, Hadland asked: "What is going on?" Coppola was quick to praise his partner and said: "I don't know but you were fantastic, they said you were fantastic, you are fantastic." Then it was time for the anticipated scores and both were overjoyed, receiving eights from Craig and Motsi and then, sevens from Shirley and Anton Du Beke. With a total score of 30, Winkleman was quick to tell Hadland about a fact she had for her.
"That is the highest ever Quickstep in week 1, it is. True," she said. Read more: Strictly Come Dancing's Sarah Hadland burst into tears trying on .