Every year, I eagerly await the new season of Strictly Come Dancing! They always bring in about 15 celebrities from all sorts of backgrounds, and it feels like there’s always someone from EastEnders taking part – it’s become a bit of a tradition!
Balvinder Sopal, known for her role on EastEnders, is continuing her journey on a dance competition show, even though the studio isn’t far from her usual filming location! She and her dance partner, Julian Caillon, have impressed viewers for the past five weeks. After successfully battling through a dance-off, they’re excited to keep performing and appreciate the support they’ve received.
EastEnders viewers were happy to see Balvinder’s colleagues, Navin Chowdhry and Shiv Jalota, watching her perform last weekend, and Suki Panesar, who plays Balvinder, was really touched by their support.
Honestly, having people I care about in the audience has meant the world to me. My family being here has been especially wonderful. I was a little worried about feeling self-conscious with familiar faces watching, but it’s actually been incredibly comforting and has boosted my confidence, if anything!
They’re a source of real support. Knowing they’re in the audience feels amazing – like having people who truly care and allows me to relax, perform confidently, and enjoy myself.
Okay, so during Icons Week on the show, Balvinder and Julian totally dodged the dance-off – huge relief for them! Afterwards, Balvinder mentioned that her old co-star, Navin, was playfully claiming he was her good luck charm, which I thought was a cute moment.
So, on Saturday, when they announced our names as the winners, Navin joked that he was obviously my lucky charm and had to come with me every week from then on!
Julian agreed with what his partner said, adding that he always sends a kiss to his fiancé in the audience before each performance.
If she was in the audience, she’d let me know, and as soon as I began performing, I’d scan the crowd for her and try to send her a kiss.
“It’s a real grounding kind of experience.”
Balvinder and Julian are dancing the Rumba for Halloween, and Julian says it’s been the toughest dance she’s learned yet.
Our previous dances were lively and energetic. This one feels different – it’s powerful and controlled, with slower movements. It didn’t quite come together for me until yesterday afternoon, October 29th, when everything finally clicked.
I’m really excited about the dance performance – I heard they’re doing a piece to Shakespears Sister’s ‘Stay’. The choreographer, Sopal, has called it a ‘dance with death’, which sounds incredibly dramatic and intriguing! It really gives you a sense of the mood and intensity they’re going for.
She explained that it’s a really heartfelt piece, and unlike anything Jules and she have created before.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 1st November at 6:35pm.
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2025-11-01 12:04