SADNESS: Strictly Balvinder Sopal BROKE THE SILENCE as she gave AN EIGHT-WORD answer after a poor performance

Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal has opened up after finding herself in the second dance-off of the series alongside her professional partner Julian Callion. The EastEnders star, 46, received the lowest public vote, joining Lorraine presenter Ross King in the bottom two. Balvinder and Julian performed their Foxtrot to ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ from Swing Time for a second time, while Ross, 63, and his partner Jowita Przystal returned to the dancefloor with their Paso Doble to the Thunderbirds theme.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all unanimously voted to save Balvinder, meaning it was the end of the road for Ross and Jowita. Penning an emotional message on Instagram after she was saved, Balvinder began with a poignant five words. “Another first…. the dance off!,” she wrote. “I am certainly getting the full Strictly experience.

“It’s the most difficult part of the show, I think. We all work so hard, all week, and none of us wants to go home. So when one of us does… it shakes the group.”

Balvinder expressed her admiration for Ross and praised Jowita’s remarkable talent on the dancefloor, describing their partnership as “wonderful.”

The actress continued: “@therossking you are so beautiful and it’s been a pleasure getting know you. I’ve loved our conversations and loved laughing with you. It’s not good bye, its see you soon, dear friend.

“@jowitaprzystal you are dynamite and it has been a dream watching you burn the dance floor over the years and then to finally be in the same room with you and watch you do your thing – pure magic. You are incredible and you and Ross together were wonderful.

Balvinder expressed gratitude to the judges for their feedback and emphasised that as the competition grows tougher, she and Julian will demonstrate resilience and determination to bounce back stronger each time, should they find themselves in the dance-off again.

The soap star added: “Thank you to the judges for all the constructive and positive feedback, both before and after the dance off. We will take it all on board – it’s the only way we’ll improve and have the best experience. As the competition steps up, #TeamBalian will work even harder to smash every dance & dance off (if we should find ourselves there again) and we’ll bounce back, each time.

“And to you the viewers… thank you for all your love and support, I’m genuinely blown away by it all ??????. Please keep voting. Every vote matters now more than ever.”

She concluded: “@julian_caillon, we ain’t done yet! Come, let’s dance.”