Another celebrity has joined the Strictly Come Dancing line-up as fans are set to see them compete in this year’s series.
Tianna Corbin TV Reporter
07:34, 12 Aug 2025Updated 07:52, 12 Aug 2025
Actor Balvinder Sopal has been announced as the latest star to join this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
The BBC star, best known for their role as Suki Panesar in EastEnders, will now be competing for the glitterball trophy, alongside the other stars who have been unveiled so far.
They were announced during Tuesday’s episode of Good Morning Britain, when showbiz reporter Richard Arnold shared the exciting news with ITV viewers.
Announcing the news, Richard detailed the previous EastEnders stars to compete in Strictly, including Maisie Smith, Bobby Brazier, and Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Speaking about competing in this year’s series, Balvinder confessed she dances as a hobby and will enjoy taking part in the show.
The soap star is taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing(Image: ITV)READ MORE: BBC’s Father Brown shares first-look at series 13 as filming wrapsREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Motsi Mabuse says it’s her ‘first and last’ in emotional post
She commented, “I can’t believe it! I’m really, really excited, I can’t stop the butterflies! Every time I think about it, they just go. I’m hoping I’ll be able to contain them on the floor.”
Asking if she had form on the dance floor, Balvinder joked, “Well, we’ll find out, won’t we?”
The soap star told Richard that she’d dabbled in ballroom and Latin before and thoroughly enjoyed it, but her enjoyment is more due to the passion and excitement in the Latin routines.
Actress Balvinder Sopal spoke about taking part in this year’s series(Image: ITV)
However, the BBC star confirmed she isn’t leaving Albert Square anytime soon to take part in Strictly as she commented: “I’ll still be working here (EastEnders).
“So, I’ll be doing two jobs. I don’t know how I’m going to handle it. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m really looking forward to it, we’ll see.”
It looks as though taking part in the show holds great sentimental value for Balvinder as she spoke about her late mum, who sadly died last year.
The actress is best known for playing Suki in EastEnders(Image: BBC/JACK BARNES)
She said, “I think this is her dream actually, she would’ve been extremely proud, so yeah, holding mum’s legacy up.”
The soap star teased that she has a couple of pros in mind with whom she wants to partner, but she remained tight-lipped about who.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to air later this year on BBC One.