Balvinder Sopal is one of the 15 celebrities taking to the dancefloor for the Strictly Come Dancing episode tonight, but she has suffered a horror injury
Ryan Paton SEO Writer and Jane Lavender
08:00, 18 Oct 2025
Balvinder Sopal and Strictly newcomer Julian Caillon(Image: BBC)
Balvinder Sopal is amongst the 15 famous faces gracing the dance floor for tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing. The EastEnders actress will slip into her dancing shoes once again at 6.30pm on BBC One.
The soap favourite is best known for portraying Suki Panesar in the BBC drama and has revealed preparing for the dancing competition has been the most demanding work of her professional life. She said: “I can’t tell you, this is the hardest I think I’ve ever worked. The pros are incredible, superhuman, literal gods honestly. The way they move, the way they teach you it’s just brilliant and I’m loving every single second of it.”
Balvinder shared this update whilst revealing she had required hospital treatment following what sounded like a painful mishap. She explained: “So it’s the second day of training and I’m at physio. Something popped and I’m here to find out what exactly.
“I’m fine, everything is okay. I can still walk and still move but my left glute, my left hip is feeling a little tight and uneasy, so I’m going to get someone to look at it.”
Nevertheless, the setback hasn’t derailed her participation in the show, as Balvinder posted on social media the next day declaring: “Day three training done.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon(Image: PA)
“Hip/glute all good – just tight. Thank you for all your messages of love and support.”
Balvinder’s involvement in this year’s Strictly was announced on Good Morning Britain, leaving her in disbelief as she responded to the news on the ITV morning show.
She expressed: “Really excited. I can’t stop the butterflies. I’m hoping I’ll be able to contain them on the floor.”
Balvinder admitted that she has some experience with dancing, particularly enjoying Latin styles.
She said: “I love the Latin. They’re so excited and passionate dancers. We all love drama, don’t we?” She continued: “It’s about telling a story with your body and your feet.
“It will be like learning a new language. I will still be working here. I’ll be doing two jobs. I don’t know how I’m going to handle it, but we’ll see.”
Her appearance on Strictly holds special significance for Balvinder as she views it as an ideal way to honour her late mum Nirmal, who passed away last year. She said: “This is her dream actually. I think she would have been really proud. I’m holding mum’s legacy up”.
Balvinder Sopal is taking part on Strictly Come Dancing(Image: BBC)
Last year, Balvinder announced her mum’s passing in a touching tribute. She remembered: “27th February 2024, 11.30pm, mum passed peacefully, with dignity and grace, just as she’d lived her whole life.
“My sister and I had settled in for the night shift at the hospital. The lads had come, spent the day, and just as the last of them left… mum passed, with me and my sister holding her hands. We walked mum as far as we could. It’s been hard, but I’ve never known strength like mums. I’m proud to be her daughter.
“As we told people, the one thing constant in people’s memory was Mums huge warm smile, her ability to adapt to change and show love and respect to all. Our home was always open; a shelter from the rain whilst waiting for the bus. For pronthey and chaa. For all the children to come and chill after school. There was always food. Our home was busy, warm, and full of love because of mum.
“Mum would come to live out her dream; she wanted to marry a man who lived abroad. dad had moved to England in 1974. He’d enquired about mum 9 years previous. When I asked mum if she’d waited for dad, she replied, “No, but I had always hoped he hadn’t married anyone else. ” Some things are just meant to be.
“Mum had two degrees; BA and MA in Fine Arts. However, she worked from home, doing piecework on a brother machine that still sits by the back window, whilst raising a family of 4.
“Later, she learned to drive so she could usher us to and from school/work/mates houses. Once we’d all grown up, mum decided she’d put her impeccable sewing skills to use by working for Rayner and Sturgess; a bespoke shirt factory, one of its kind.
“They made shirts for Ray Winston, some of the Royals, and Daniel Craig. The workforce, all women would still only be paid a minimum wage. But it gave mum deep friendships and confidence to be her own woman. A confidence she passed on to us.”
A fierce supporter of all of her kids and grandkids mums unique ability to get through to us was second to none. She was our rock, friend, confidant, guiding light.
She was my No. 1 fan travelling up and down the country, with dad watching shows.
“Mum was an extraordinary teacher of life just by being and doing everything with love. LOVE is Mum’s legacy. We are the lucky ones. Rest well. Thank U, Mum Nirmal Sopal 13/07/51 – 27/02/24.”
