EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal said she felt she had ‘lost a part’ of herself
19:57, 08 Nov 2025
Balvinder was overcome with emotion as she said she had lost a part of herself when her mum died(Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal was overcome with emotion as she shared the heartbreaking death of her mum.
The EastEnders actress broke down in tears on Saturday night’s show as she reflected on a ‘terrible year’ after her ‘biggest cheerleader’ passed away.
Ahead of her couple’s choice performance – a bhangra bollywood piece – the actress admitted she felt she had ‘lost a part of me’.
Speaking abut how proud her mum Nirmal was when she landed her role in EastEnders, Balvinder said: “I miss that because she was my biggest cheerleader.
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“Last year was a terrible year for us. Losing my mum felt like, and still does, feel like I’ve lost a part of me.
“Me and my mum had a brilliant relationshiop and one of the things I loved was coming home from work and having a cup of tea with my mum.
“We’d be wrapped in a blanket and we’d just be warm.”
Balvinder revealed she had shied away from the limelight since the tragedy, but had said yes to Strictly in memory of her mum.
Balvinder and her mum Nirmal(Image: BBC)
She said: “I’d said no to every single thing that came my way and then Strictly came knocking and I thought, yeah, I’m going to do it.
“This is my yes year and I’m going to do it because I want to be seen, because my mum would want me to be seen.”
She emotionally added: “I think my mum will be incredibly happy and dancing wherever she is.”
Balvinder had shared an emotional tribute to her mum on Instagram after her death in February 2024.
She wrote: “27th February 2024, 11.30pm, mum passed peacefully, with dignity & grace, just as she’d lived her whole life.
“My sister & I had settled in for the night shift at the hospital. The lads had come, spent the day, & just as the last of them left… mum passed, with me & my sister holding her hands.
“We walked mum as far as we could. It’s been hard, but I’ve never known strength like mums. I’m proud to be her daughter.
“As we told people, the one thing constant in people’s memory was Mums huge warm smile, her ability to adapt to change & show love & respect to all.
“Our home was always open; a shelter from the rain whilst waiting for the bus. For pronthey & chaa. For all the children to come & chill after school. There was always food. Our home was busy, warm, & full of love because of mum.
“Mum would come to live out her dream; she wanted to marry a man who lived abroad.
“Dad had moved to England in 1974. He’d enquired about mum 9 years previous. When I asked mum if she’d waited for dad, she replied, “No, but I had always hoped he hadn’t married anyone else.” Some things are just meant to be. “Mum had two degrees; BA & MA in Fine Arts. However, she worked from home, doing peicework on a brother machine that still sits by the back window, whilst raising a family of 4.
“Later, she learned to drive so she could usher us to & from school/work/mates houses.
“Once we’d all grown up, mum decided she’d put her impeccable sewing skills to use by working for Rayner & Sturgess; a bespoke shirt factory, one of its kind. They made shirts for Ray Winston, some of the Royals, & Daniel Craig.
“The workforce, all women would still only be paid a minimum wage. But it gave mum deep friendships & confidence to be her own woman. A confidence she passed on to us.
“A fierce supporter of all of her kids & grandkids mums unique ability to get through to us was second to none. She was our rock, friend, confidant, guiding light. She was my No. 1 fan travelling up & down the country, with dad watching shows. Mum was an extraordinary teacher of life just by being & doing everything with love.
“LOVE is Mum’s legacy. We are the lucky ones. Rest well. Thank U, Mum. Nirmal Sopal 13/07/51 – 27/02/24.”
