EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal has danced her way into the Strictly Come Dancing history books, shattering a decade-old record during a tense weekend on the BBC One show. The star survived the dreaded dance-off for an unprecedented fifth time on Sunday, 1st December 2025, eliminating fellow competitor Alex Kingston in the process.
A Record-Breaking Survival
Facing Doctor Who star Alex Kingston and her professional partner Johannes Radebe, Balvinder and her partner Julian Caillon performed once more for the judges. The panel's decision was nearly unanimous, with Anton Du Beke the sole dissenting voice. This victory marked Balvinder's fifth successful escape from elimination via the dance-off, a feat no other contestant has achieved in the show's history.
This milestone means she has now personally sent home five other celebrities from the 2025 competition. Her list of dance-off victories includes wins over Alex Kingston, Vicky Pattison, Ellie Goldstein, Chris Robshaw, and Ross King. The previous record was held by singer Jamelia, who in the 2015 series won four dance-offs before being eliminated on her fifth appearance in the bottom two during the Blackpool week.
Fan Reaction and Quarter-Final Hopes
Viewers quickly took to social media to celebrate the unprecedented achievement. One fan declared, "Balvinder Sopal now holds the record for WINNING the most dance-offs in Strictly Come Dancing HISTORY!" Another praised her resilience, writing, "Balvinder has done so well taking everything in her stride." While many were sad to see the "wonderful" Alex Kingston depart just before the semi-final, Balvinder's stunning performances, particularly her instant dance, were widely commended.
This historic win secures Balvinder's spot in the upcoming quarter-final, where she will compete against:
- George Clarke
- Lewis Cope
- Karen Carney
- Amber Davies
Behind the Scenes Buzz
The weekend also sparked speculation about the future of the show's presenting lineup. A social media post from Strictly's head dressmaker, Theresa Hewlett, revealed that The Chase host Bradley Walsh had visited the Elstree Studios set. This has led to widespread conjecture among fans that Walsh could be in the frame to replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in 2026, though the BBC has made no official announcement.
Strictly Come Dancing continues with the quarter-final on Saturday at 6:50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. All eyes will now be on Balvinder Sopal to see if her remarkable dance-off prowess can carry her even further in the competition.
