Strictly Come Dancing Confirms EastEnders Favourite Balvinder Sopal as Fifth Celebrity for 2025 Series
The glitterball is calling once again, and another familiar face from Albert Square is stepping onto the dance floor.
Balvinder Sopal, best known for her role as Suki Panesar in EastEnders, has been confirmed as the fifth celebrity contestant for the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing series.
She made the announcement live on Good Morning Britain, where showbiz reporter Richard Arnold revealed the exciting news to ITV viewers. He also highlighted the lineage of EastEnders stars on Strictly, including Maisie Smith, Bobby Brazier, and Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Sopal shared her delight, saying, “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.”
Playfully, when asked about her experience in dance, she quipped, “Well, we’ll find out, won’t we?”
She revealed she’s dabbled in ballroom and Latin, especially drawn to the passion and energy of Latin routines.
And for fans worried she’ll be leaving EastEnders behind, she reassured: “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.”
For Sopal, this appearance is more than just a challenge. It’s personal. Speaking about her late mother, who passed away last year, she said, “I think this is her dream actually, she would’ve been extremely proud, so yeah, holding mum’s legacy up.”
She teased that she has a couple of pro partners in mind, though she’s keeping identities under wraps for now.
The new series is set to return later this year, with the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 start date already revealed, adding to the growing buzz around the line-up.
With four other stars already confirmed, including Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, all eyes are now on the upcoming launch. Sequins, sambas, and maybe a Suki Panesar quickstep — it’s all to come on BBC One this autumn.
