Strictly’s Balvinder Sopal receives support from EastEnders co-stars as fans say ‘she can’t go’
One of the stars from the BBC soap in the audience was killed-off at the beginning of the year
Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal received support from her EastEnders co-stars who appeared in the audience as fans said ‘she can’t go’.
The EastEnders actress, who plays Suki Panesar-Unwin, and Australian professional dancer Julian Caillon were looking to bounce back on the BBC dancing competition, with the pair having been in the dance-off two weeks in a row.
Initially surviving movie week after landing in the bottom two for the first time with ITV Lorraine star Ross King and Jowita Przystal, last week’s show saw them in the dance-off once again.
Having to dance the Paso Doble to Diablo Rojo by Rodrigo by Gabriela last Saturday (October 18), the judges had a hard time separating Balvinder and Julian, and Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova.
Head judge Shirley Ballas and fellow judge Anton Du Beke voted to save Chris, while Motsi Mabuse chose to save Balvinder. However, Craig Revel Horwood was the judge with the episode’s casting vote, and he decided to save Balvinder.
Returning to the dancefloor on Saturday (October 25), Balvinder and Julian were hoping Icons Week would put an end to their streak of dance-offs.
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Dancing the Quickstep to Beyonce’s country number Texas Hold ‘Em, the routine went down better with the judges than their last two.
Having her say on the dance, Shirley said: “Many moons ago, I lived in Houston, Texas for five years, and I used to go to the line dancing. They played this music. We’d all be up there with our boots. I’ve still got my hat. So thanks for the memories that you brought back for me today.
“Anything that was solo today, I could see that you were really giving all your confidence. This was a little bit of a new Balvinder for me.
“Today, you came in and you gave it A-Star with your personality… When you get together, that still needs work.”
With Anton calling on her to ‘stride outside of your comfort zone’ moving forward, Balvinder and Julian received a score of 28 out of 40 points.
While it remains to be seen if they make it through to week six, the Suki Panesar-Unwin actress received support from two of her soap colleagues, who travelled to the BBC set to be in the live audience.
Balvinder’s onscreen son Shiv Jalota, who plays Vinny on EastEnders, was joined by Nish Panesar’s Navin Chowdhry.
Best known for trying to stop his former wife Suki’s relationship with Eve Panesar-Unwin on the soap, Nish met his end on New Year’s Day.
Ravi Galati pushed his father off a balcony after he made an unannounced appearance at Suki and Eve’s long-awaited wedding.
Strictly fans rushed to X, previously known as Twitter, to have their say on the special appearances in the crowd and why they want Balvinder to make it past icons week.
@thrawnschimera said: “Omg Navin & Shiv in the audience to support Bal #Strictly #EastEnders.” @bal_sopal_fans added: “Navin and Shiv…my heart.”
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@emmalawton_ wrote: “Are we all voting Balvinder this week? I think I may have to #Strictly.” @RKT0v posted: “Awh, Balvinder is gutted! She needs a confidence boost- Vote for her to stay in folks!”
@layeredlesbians commented: “this footwork!!! bal growing so much week over week, come on balvinder and julian!! let’s vote them through!!! #strictly.” @stacey_who stated: “balvinder should be safe from the dance off this week, if we’re being honest there were worse than her #strictly.”