Tonight (December 14), it was revealed that EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal became the latest celebrity to leave the BBC dance competition, after being in six dance-offs.
The 47-year-old and her professional dance partner, Julian Callion, lost in Sunday’s semi-final dance-off against reality TV star Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin.
Balvinder and Julian performed their Salsa to a Gloria Estefan medley of Rhythm Is Gonna Get You and Get On Your Feet for a second time, before Amber and Nikita reprised their couple’s choice to Raye’s cover of Fly Me To The Moon.
At the end of the nail-biting dance-off, all four judges (Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke) voted to save Amber and Nikita.
After dancing two routines each on Saturday (December 13), Balvinder finished bottom of the semi-final leaderboard with a joint score of 70 for her dances.
Before Balvinder took to the dancefloor for one last time, she said of her experience on the BBC show: “Everyone’s been brilliant. The minute you walk into this building, it’s like a massive hug.
“Every single time. I’ve walked in, people have just held me and gone ‘you know, you’re all right’, it’s such a wonderful place to work.
“(To the judges) thank you, Claud(ia) (Winkleman) and Tess (Daly), I’m grateful that I got to be on the show on your last moment here as well, because you, for me, are what Strictly is about.
“You’re the era of Len Goodman and (Sir) Bruce Forsyth, and that’s when I started watching it, and that, for me, is really special.
“This year, it’s been full of so many serendipitous moments. I’m so lucky, and I’m really, very happy.”
She described Julian as “brilliant in every sense of the word” and said she had “never felt alone on this floor”, thanks to him.
Julian added, “I just think that Bal embodies what this competition is about.
“Her spirit is unbreakable, and (to Balvinder) you have shown me that I’m actually dreaming too small, and Bal can inspire us that whatever any of us want in life, all you have to have is the desire to go after it.
“It took six dance-offs and a perfect score to take this lady out, so I am so so proud of you.”
Sunday’s results show also featured a surprise for presenters Tess and Claudia ahead of their departure from Strictly after this year’s Christmas special.
The hosts were shown a highlights package of their time on the show, featuring new interviews from the judges, and footage from their early years working with Sir Bruce.
The judges, with help from Strictly professional dancer Kai Widdrington, then awarded the presenters with their own glitterball trophy.
Kylie Minogue also performed her festive single Xmas accompanied by the Strictly professional dancers, while band James performed their 1991 hit Sit Down.
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon were in six dance-offs this series (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Balvinder and Julian will be interviewed on Strictly: It Takes Two on BBC Two and iPlayer on Monday (December 15) at 6.30pm.
The Strictly Come Dancing final 2025 airs at 7pm next Saturday (December 20) on BBC One and iPlayer.
The BBC synopsis shares: “It’s the biggest night in the ballroom – the grand final. After three months of hard-fought competition, the 2025 Strictly champion is crowned.
“The show begins with a dazzling group routine from our professional dancers and this year’s finalists, before they each perform three times in a bid to be your winners.
“They revisit a previous routine, having had a masterclass with the judges, perform a spectacular show dance and then take to the floor with their favourite dance from the series.
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“The complete cast of 2025 also return to the dance floor one last time for a fabulous group number.
“Your votes alone will decide who walks away with the glitterball, as the judges’ scores are purely for guidance.
“On what is set to be a momentous night in the ballroom, who will be your champions?”
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