Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal has broken a major record on the BBC One show after finding herself in the dreaded dance-off yet again at the weekend
Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal now holds a major record on the BBC show after winning the latest dance-off this weekend. The EastEnders star landed in the bottom-two once again on Sunday night and was forced to compete in the dance-off against Doctor Who’s Alex Kingston.
However, the judges ultimately chose to save Balvinder once again – with all of them except for Anton Du Beke saving her and partner Julian Caillon. It meant that Alex and partner Johannes Radebe became the next duo to be eliminated from the 2025 competition, narrowly missing out on a place in the semi-final.
While this weekend marked Balvinder’s fifth time in the dance-off, fans have been quick to point out that it also means she has eliminated five stars from the competition – breaking a major record. “Balvinder Sopal now holds the record for WINNING the most dance-offs in Strictly Come Dancing HISTORY!” one viewer said.
“Jamelia previously held the record but was eliminated on her fifth dance-off, but Bal lives to see another week! #Strictly.”
Over the last few months, Balvinder has defeated Alex Kingston, Vicky Pattison, Ellie Goldstein, Chris Robshaw and Ross King in the dance-off. She has therefore broken the record for most dance-off victories in Strictly history after Jamelia did the same back in 2015.
Superstar singer Jamelia took part in the 13th series of Strictly ten years prior with Tristan MacManus, having beaten Iwan Thomas, Ainsley Harriet, Kirsty Gallacher and Jeremy Vine. She made it to Blackpool, but was eliminated in that ninth week of the competition.
Balvinder has now secured a place in the upcoming quarter-final, where she’ll join George Clarke, Lewis Cope, Karen Carney and Amber Davies. Fans took to social media to praise how far Balvinder has come despite facing numerous setbacks in the bottom two.
“Balvinder has done so well taking everything in her stride,” one viewer wrote. “Well done Balvinder but I felt a little sorry to see wonderful Alex go as she has been a shinning light. I have never been able to dance but I love watching others do so well #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.”
Another said: “Her instant dance was stunning!!!” While a third tweeted: “She’s taken out 1/3 of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing Cast.”
On Sunday, it appeared that Strictly bosses may have inadvertently confirmed who Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman’s presenting replacement will be for 2026. The Chase’s Bradley Walsh was photographed by Strictly’s head dressmaker Theresa Hewlett at Elstree Studios on Friday, writing: “We had a visitor in BBC’s Strictly yesterday.
“The Chase is filmed next door and he popped in to say hi. What a lovely man Bradley Walsh is!”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6:50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News , Flipboard , Apple News, TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads – or visit The Mirror homepage.
