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Balvinder Sopal will be dancing in Saturday night’s quarter final(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Strictly Come Dancing contestants are well aware that they risk facing the dreaded dance-off if they fail to deliver their best performance on the popular BBC show. Typically, after a few appearances in the bottom two, the celebrity contestant is usually eliminated from the competition.
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However, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal has defied this trend in the current series, having found herself in the dance-off an unprecedented five times so far. This record-breaking number surpasses any other celebrity contestant in Strictly Come Dancing history. The 47-year-old actress has now outdone singer Jamelia’s previous record of landing in the dance-off five times, though she was eliminated on her fifth appearance. In contrast, Balvinder has triumphed in all five of her dance-offs.
The Chatham-born actress was tipped to be the next contestant to leave during the quarter-final of the show. However, her stunning Viennese Waltz to Never Enough from The Greatest Showman, performed with dance partner Julian Caillon, earned her 35 points from the judges and won over the public, allowing her to avoid the dance-off entirely.
Instead, it was Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope who was sent home from the competition, after facing former Love Island star and West End actress Amber Davies in the bottom two.
Strictly fans have been speculating as to why Balvinder has managed to survive the dance-off so many times, attributing her success to her positive attitude.
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Following her impressive quarter-final performance, a fan took to Reddit to express their admiration: “Damn. What a run Bal is having throughout this competition. Knocking out a 1/3 of the contestants, being in the dance-offs for majority of the time. One thing that’s really endearing about Bal though is she never complains, is never overly emotional.
“She takes it on the chin, is very composed and I think this Saturday we saw a woman who’s been trying her absolute hardest week after week, getting disappointed week after week, finally break from receiving some recognition she’s been grafting for and has deserved all along.”
They continued: “I can’t imagine how demoralising it is to give your best every week and it not pay off because the public aren’t backing you. Bal’s actually got a lot of talent and is learning and growing week to week. She’s obviously overshadowed by the ringers of the competition but if you stripped it back to just Karen George and Bal, they’ve all got strengths in different areas and are probably on the same level. But I think now she’s shown what she’s capable of and very well deserves to be where she is in the competition.
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“She was beautiful this weekend and the fact that Julian choreographed the dance so that she’d receive her standing ovation at the end was just [perfect]… the crowd went wild for her, and rightly so! Bal and Julian for the win.”
Another supporter concurred: “I really hope she wins or at least gets to the final,” while another chimed in: “I’m actually praying.”
Someone else declared: “She’s my winner regardless of what happens. An absolute trooper who gives it her all with no moaning and a great attitude despite being underrated by judges and audience!”
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Meanwhile, a fourth commented: “Honestly, I just want her to win at this point. Because what an amazing story it would be!”
Despite these supportive remarks, Balvinder remains the bookmakers’ favourite to face elimination from the competition this weekend, while former footballer Karen Carney is tipped to claim victory in the show.
Nevertheless, she’s already demonstrated her ability to endure this far, so could Balvinder ultimately secure the crown?
