"Already my favourite to win."
After amassing fame in the BBC’s EastEnders, Balvinder Sopal is set to take on an exciting new challenge.
In July 2025, it was reported that the actress was being considered for Strictly Come Dancing.
On August 12, the BBC officially confirmed this news, with Balvinder becoming the fifth celebrity contestant to join the upcoming series.
Speaking about joining the iconic dance competition, Balvinder Sopal enthused:
“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!”
Balvinder has made a mark on British television, theatre, radio, and film.
In January 2020, she began appearing in EastEnders as the formidable Punjabi matriarch, Suki Panesar.
A no-nonsense, straight-talking mother and businesswoman, Suki is not afraid to fight for her will and unapologetically manipulate people.
One of her most notable storylines is coming to terms with her sexuality later in life and her subsequent relationship with Eve Panesar-Unwin (Heather Peace).
Suki was also tormented by her evil ex-husband Nish Panesar (Navin Chowdhry), who wanted her for himself at all costs.
However, in January 2025, Suki and Eve were finally freed of Nish and married. This marked the first lesbian wedding seen in EastEnders.
Currently, Suki is proving to be unpopular with EastEnders fans after she manipulated her granddaughter Avani Nandra-Hart (Aaliyah James) to keep her unborn baby.
However, all hell is set to break loose as Suki will discover that Eve helped Avani have an abortion behind her back.
The news of Balvinder Sopal in the Strictly ballroom elicited positive reactions from viewers.
One fan said: “I reckon she will do really well in the ballroom dances.”
Another added: “She’s going to smash it!”
A third wrote: “Awww, Suki. She’s going to do amazing. Already my favourite to win.”
Strictly Come Dancing began airing on BBC One on May 15, 2004.
Previous celebrities from EastEnders have included Scott Maslen (Jack Branning), Kellie Bright (Linda Carter) and Maisie Smith (Tiffany Butcher-Baker).
Along with Balvinder Sopal, the upcoming series will also feature celebrities like Harry ‘Nitro’ Aikines-Aryeetey, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The show will return with its new series in September 2025.
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