Who is Balvinder Sopal? Meet Strictly Come Dancing 2025 contestant and actor
Balvinder is swapping Walford for the dancefloor.
Balvinder Sopal burst into tears last weekend after receiving a standing ovation for her Viennese Waltz, alongside professional dance partner Julian Caillon.
The pair have had a particularly rocky go of things on the show, winning all five dance-offs they have been part of.
But last week, the pair scored 35 points, the highest they have received from the judges yet.
All four judges shared kind words, but it was Motsi Mabuse's comments that would move her to tears for a second time.
She said: "Honestly, Shirley and I were holding hands throughout that dance. Really, from the very minute you started and your dance partner, Julian, came over...
"You went completely soft and you were so sensitive to each other. You were in a different type of feeling. I felt like whatever you have wanted to say through the last weeks came out through that dance, it must be really demoralising what you have been through in this competition."
As we wait to find out how Balvinder does on the dance floor in the rest of the competition, read on to learn more about the star.
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 herself 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.
Balvinder Sopal's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week 1: Samba (4+4+4+5) = 17
Week 2: Charleston (7+8+8+7) = 30
Week 3: Foxtrot (7+7+6+6) = 26
Week 4: Paso Doble (7+7+7+7) = 28
Week 5: Quickstep (7+7+7+7) = 28
Week 6: Rumba (7+7+7+7) = 28
Week 7: Couple's Choice (7+7+7+7) = 28
Week 8: American Smooth (6+7+7+7) = 27
Week 9: (8+8+8+9) = 33
Week 10: Jive (7+7+7+7) = 28 +5 = 33
Week 11: Viennese Waltz (8+9+9+9) = 35
What is Balvinder Sopal dancing to in Week 12 on Strictly?
Balvinder and dance partner Julian will be dancing a Waltz to At This Moment by Michael Bublé and Salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You / Get on Your Feet by Gloria Estefan.
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 12th December at 6:35pm.
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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.
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
