EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal has been unveiled as the fifth celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2025. The announcement was made during Tuesday's episode of Good Morning Britain, where showbiz correspondent Richard Arnold revealed the exciting news to viewers.
Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar in the BBC soap opera, expressed her overwhelming excitement about joining the dancing competition. "I can't believe it! I'm really, really excited, I can't stop the butterflies! Every time I think about it, they just go. I'm hoping I'll be able to contain them on the floor," she said during the television reveal.
Personal significance
The participation holds deep emotional meaning for Sopal, who lost her mother last year. She shared that taking part in Strictly would fulfil her late mother's dream, saying "I think this is her dream actually, she would've been extremely proud, so yeah, holding mum's legacy up."
The actress revealed she has some previous experience with ballroom and Latin dancing, particularly enjoying the passion and energy of Latin routines. When asked about her dance background, she playfully responded: "Well, we'll find out, won't we?"
Balancing two demanding roles
Sopal confirmed she will continue her EastEnders role while competing on Strictly, admitting the challenge ahead. "I'll still be working here (EastEnders). So, I'll be doing two jobs. I don't know how I'm going to handle it. I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm really looking forward to it, we'll see," she acknowledged.
The BBC star joins a growing list of EastEnders alumni who have appeared on Strictly, including previous contestants Maisie Smith, Bobby Brazier, and Rose Ayling-Ellis. As the Mirror reports, her announcement continues the show's tradition of featuring soap opera stars in the competition through a sequential reveal strategy.
Show return details
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is set to return to BBC One later this year. Sopal hinted that she already has a couple of professional dancers in mind for potential partnerships, though she remained secretive about their identities.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Mirror" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
