People in Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal’s home town have been wishing her good luck ahead of Saturday night’s show in Blackpool.<\/p>\n
Sopal, from Gillingham, Kent, is one of seven celebrities left in week nine of the competition, with La Voix missing the week’s programmes through injury.<\/p>\n
Rainham Mark Grammar School, where the EastEnders actor’s niece Florence is a year seven pupil, posted on Facebook: “We would like to wish Balvinder the very best of luck in Blackpool.”<\/p>\n
The school called on its community to “show support and help cheer Balvinder through to another week”.<\/p>\n
The actor, who has played Suki Panesar in EastEnders since 2020, and her dance partner Julian Caillon have been in Strictly’s bottom two a total of four times this series, surviving a dance-off each time.<\/p>\n
Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon compete in Blackpool on Saturday [BBC]<\/p>\n
On joining the BBC’s Saturday night top-rated dance show she said: “Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen.<\/p>\n
“Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of.”<\/p>\n
Speaking to BBC Radio Kent’s Wake Up Call<\/a> during Strictly rehearsals in week six, Sopal said: “It’s super exhausting stuff. My feet ache every time I dance.<\/p>\n Balvinder Sopal has played Suki Panesar in EastEnders since 2020 [BBC]<\/p>\n “I lay down with my legs against a wall just to let the blood flow back down.<\/p>\n “I’ve had family and friends come to watch the show. It has been great.”<\/p>\n The actor added: “Having them there really secures you and makes you feel really grounded.”<\/p>\n On Saturday the couple will be dancing the Argentine Tango to The Logical Song by Supertramp.<\/p>\n Follow BBC Kent on Facebook<\/a>, on X<\/a>, and on Instagram<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk<\/a> or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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