BBC Strictly's Vito Coppola issues plea to celebrity dance partner Sarah Hadland

Strictly's Vito Coppola urges Sarah Hadland to nap during breaks

The Strictly Come Dancing semi-final is quickly approaching and this year's couples have been working hard to perfect their routines. The remaining five celebrities will compete to make it through to the final, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 14 December.

Ahead of this week's semi-final, Vito Coppola and his celebrity dance partner Sarah Hadland gave fans a glimpse into their rigorous training routine. The duo appeared on BBC's Morning Live to discuss Strictly rehearsals on Thursday, 5 December.

During the joint interview, Vito, 33, revealed Sarah, 53, had been struggling to commit to taking breaks during training sessions, leaving him with no choice but to try and force her to sit down.

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola appeared on Morning Live (Image: BBC)

"We just have to kind of divide the time. We have to optimise the time. We even have to schedule the 10 minutes break, the 5 minute nap inbetween," Vito said, having tuned in via video link from a rehearsal space.

Sarah then chimed in: "Actually, yesterday Vito got out his pillow and his coat, and he went 'just have a nap'. Because, even when we're meant to be having a break I tend to go off."

Vito then revealed Sarah had a habit of 'just going around' when she was supposed to be resting. He continued: "Yes, this is your moment to chill, to rest, to collect the energy. She's just going around, jumping a little bit, speaking, singing.

"I said no, no, no, you really have to sit on the floor. I have a pillow with me. Take my pillow. Just close your eyes."

Vito revealed he's been urging Sarah to take rehearsal breaks (Image: BBC) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241203.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Vito concluded the chat by stating how much he was enjoying his Strictly experience with Sarah, adding:"It's just amazing, honestly," before saying he was "so grateful".

Vito and Sarah will compete against Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, JB Gill and Lauren Oakley, and Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał.

Each couple will perform two dances during the semi-final, with just four couples going through to compete in the final next week.

BBC Strictly's Vito Coppola issues plea to celebrity dance partner Sarah Hadland

BBC Strictly's Vito Coppola issues plea to celebrity dance partner Sarah Hadland

BBC Strictly's Vito Coppola issues plea to celebrity dance partner Sarah Hadland

BBC Strictly's Vito Coppola issues plea to celebrity dance partner Sarah Hadland

BBC Strictly's Vito Coppola issues plea to celebrity dance partner Sarah Hadland