The EastEnders star and her dance partner Julian Caillon are among the five couples remaining in the BBC One dance competition
Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal(Image: Balvinder Sopal Instagram)
Balvinder Sopal has said her ‘dream has been realised’ by taking part in Strictly Come Dancing after sharing a moment with the show three years ago.
The EastEnders star and her professional dance partner Julian Caillon are among the five couples remaining in the BBC One dance competition as it reaches the quarter-final stage on Saturday night (December 6).
The pair have now made it through to the show’s quarter-final stage, which takes place this Saturday (December 6), having defeated Vicky Pattison, Ellie Goldstein, Chris Robshaw, Ross King and most recently Alex Kingston in their own bid to stay in the competition.
Winning the latest dance-off during last Sunday’s (November 30) results show meant that Balvinder and Julian, who joined Strictly’s pro line-up for the first time this year, broke a record for surviving the most dance-offs in the show since Jamelia last did the same back in 2015.
But they’re set to attempt to bounce back as Balvinder and Julian have been back in training this week, with it revealed that they’ll be performing a Viennese Waltz to Never Enough from The Greatest Showman, during Musicals Week this weekend, which will be the last themed week of the 2025 series.
Ahead of their next performance, Balvinder was seemingly in a reflective mood, as she shared a video from an awards show three years ago in which she and her former EastEnders co-star, Navin Chowdhry, were seen presenting Strictly with a gong.
Balvinder was reflecting on her previous brush with Strictly ahead of her stint in the competition(Image: Balvinder Sopal Instagram)
Alongside the clip, the actress poignantly shared: “Who would have thought 3 years after presenting Best Talent Show to Strictly Come Dancing @tvchoicemagazine awards… a special dream of mine would be realised! Thank you for the beautiful reminder @navinchowdhryofficial [heart emoji].”
It comes after Balvinder also celebrated her birthday this week. Taking to Instagram on Friday (December 5), the soap star shared how she’d been surprised by the Strictly family with cakes, while also spending the day rehearsing with Julian, and said: “Birthday celebrations continue!! Strictly Come Dancing truly is one of the best places to work.
“With the best team. And the best Cake. It was the best RED VELVET I have ever tasted!!!! Thank you for all your birthday love and messages [heart emoji].
“Tomorrow, we will take to the floor and dance our Viennese Waltz, for you. Our soundtrack “Never Enough” from the Greatest Showman couldn’t be more poignant for the journey @julian_caillon and I have been on. In fact, I think it’s perfect. Your continued love and support is never taken for granted – thank you, always.”
