Who is Balvinder Sopal? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contestant and actor
Balvinder is swapping Walford for the dancefloor.
The stage is set and glitter is everywhere, which can only mean one thing: Strictly Come Dancing is back!
That's right, the iconic dancing programme returns to screens this Saturday night, with the first live show of the series getting underway very soon.
Among the celebrities taking part is Balvinder Sopal, who is taking part in Strictly as 2025 for her "yes year".
"I lost my mum last year, and I think she would hate for me not to take up an opportunity like this," she told Radio Times magazine. "My mum was a real fan of the show. We used to watch together. She was strong and always put her best foot forward — I need to step into her energy."
As we wait to find out how Balvinder does on the dance floor, read on to learn more about the actress.
Who is Balvinder Sopal?
Age: 46
Job: Actress
Instagram: @leesopal
Partner: Julian Caillon
Balvinder Sopal is an actress best known for her role as Suki Panesar-Unwin on EastEnders. She joined the BBC soap in 2020 and has since carved herself out as the head of one of the leading families in Walford.
In December 2023, the actress was part of The Six storyline, in which she along with five other ladies of Albert Square found themselves embroiled in a cover up for murder.
Across her career, Balvinder has appeared on Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Doctors and Hollyoaks, and voiced Simran Kaur in the radio soap opera Silver Street.
In recent years, she was won several awards for her role on EastEnders, having scooped nods for Best Soap Partnership, Inspiring Storyline of the Year and Soap Superstar.
What is Balvinder Sopal dancing to in Week 1 on Strictly?
Balvinder and dance partner Julian will be dancing the Samba to (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty by KC & The Sunshine Band.
What has Balvinder Sopal said about Strictly Come Dancing?
Balvinder's casting in Strictly Come Dancing was announced live from Albert Square on Good Morning Britain, as she said: "Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen.
"Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I'm far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!"
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 27th September at 6:55pm.
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Authors
Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
