Strictly’s Balvinder Sopal speaks out after dance-off in ’emotional’ Ellie Golstein admission

The actress and her professional dance partner, Julian Caillon, faced Ellie and Vito Coppola in the BBC show’s latest dance-off

Strictly Come Dancing stars Vito Coppola, Ellie Goldstein, Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon

trictly Come Dancing stars Vito Coppola, Ellie Goldstein, Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon(Image: BBC)

Balvinder Sopal has spoken for the first time after facing the latest dance-off on Strictly Come Dancing.

The actress and her professional dance partner, Julian Caillon, were among the 10 remaining couples taking to the dance floor during week six of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (November 1).

Last weekend, the pair successfully made it through to week six of the competition without having to fight for their place in the BBC One dance contest like they had for the two previous weeks.

During Strictly’s Halloween special, Balvinder and Julian performed their rumba to Stay by Shakespears Sister, for which they were awarded a very respectable 28 out of a possible 40 from the judges for the routine.

However, following the public vote, it wasn’t enough to keep the pair out of the bottom two, marking the third time Balvinder and Julian have had to fight for their place in the competition.

During Sunday’s (November 2) results show, the pair went up against model and actress Ellie Goldstein and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola to stay in Strictly’s 2025 series.

Once they’d both reprised their routines from Saturday night, the judges delivered their verdict. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke decided to save Balvinder and Julian, while head Judge Shirley Ballas – who this week was the judge with the casting vote – said that she would have also chosen to save Balvinder and Julian should she have been required to vote.

Both couples faced the dreaded dance-off

It was then on Monday (November 3) that Balvinder took to social media took to social media to reflect on what had happened, first focusing on Ellie and Vito’s exit.

Alongside picture of both couples performing over the weekend, the EastEnders star admitted: “Dance Offs are the pits and this one was particularly emotional…”

She continued: “The Cheeky Team are everything Strictly Come Dancing is about; entertainment, joy, determination and inspiration. @elliejg16_zebedeemodel & @vitocoppola, you guys brought such power and energy to every single dance ‐ you set that stage on fire, and it was incredible to watch you do your thing every Saturday night.

“Ellie, your talent knows no bounds, you are a sensational dancer, and may you always dance with such vigour, passion and joy! YOU are infectious. There is so much love for both of you and everything you brought to the competition, that will continue ten fold.”

And fans were quick to respond. @emmiii23xo said: “You guys didn’t deserve to be in that dance off last night. Your dance was amazing, I hope you know just what an amazing dancer you are becoming Bal. Keep going, keep enjoying it. Can’t wait to see what is in store this Saturday night.”

@fuzzypaws_xx commented: “Such beautiful words, Ellie is a super … It was a tough watch, my heart went out to you.” stitchygirly96 replied: “That dance off was so painful to watch. Neither of you deserved to be there. You and @elliejg16_zebedeemodel are powerhouses. We adore both of you.”

@beckbec789 added: “A beautiful post about Ellie and the joy she brought to Strictly… dance offs are the hardest part of the competition and our hearts broke for you for your third time! But it’s a new week, a new dance and you continue to bring so much joy to so many of us with your strength, progress and love of dance… carry on doing you and we are right behind #teambalian.”