‘EastEnders’ star Balvinder Sopal confirmed as contestant in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
Balvinder Sopal has been confirmed as the fifth celebrity to join the upcoming series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.
Sopal is a seasoned actor whose career spans theatre, radio, film, and television. She is best known for her portrayal of the formidable Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin) in ‘EastEnders’, a role she has held since 2019. As Suki, she has been central to some of ‘EastEnders’’ most gripping and critically acclaimed storylines, including her involvement with ‘The Six’ and her turbulent relationship with Eve Unwin.
Prior to her role in ‘EastEnders’, Sopal appeared in a range of popular television dramas, including a guest lead in series seven of ‘Call The Midwife’, as well as roles in ‘Doctors’ and ‘Waterloo Road’.
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Speaking about joining ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, Sopal said: “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!”
The announcement was made live from Albert Square on 12 August during ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’. Further celebrity contestants set to join the new series will be revealed in due course.

