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Balvinder Sopal is the fifth celebrity contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2025

The actor, known to millions as Suki on EastEnders, will enter the famous ballroom when Strictly returns to 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer this September

Published: 07:30 am, 12 August 2025
A head and shoulders shot of Balvinder Sopal smiling for the camera wearing a black top
Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I鈥檓 far too excited to put into words how I feel but I鈥檓 incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!
鈥 Balvinder Sopal

Balvinder Sopal is the fifth celebrity joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by 麻豆社 Studios, returns to 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer for its new series this September.

Balvinder Sopal is an actor whose career spans theatre, radio, film and television. She is most known for playing the infamous Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin) on EastEnders since 2019. As Suki she has been at the heart of some of EastEnders鈥 most gripping and acclaimed storylines, from being part of 鈥楾he Six鈥 to her on-off affair with Eve Unwin.

Before EastEnders, Balvinder appeared on many popular TV shows in various guises, including a guest lead in Call The Midwife series seven, Doctors, and Waterloo Road.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Balvinder Sopal says: 鈥淏eing on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I鈥檓 far too excited to put into words how I feel but I鈥檓 incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!鈥

The news was revealed live from Albert Square on 12 August on ITV鈥檚 Good Morning Britain and the remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.

Strictly Come Dancing is a 麻豆社 Studios Entertainment production for 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer and was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the 麻豆社. The Executive Producer is Sarah James, the Series Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill. The Commissioning Editor for the 麻豆社 is Jo Wallace.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer this autumn. Add Strictly to your watchlist on 麻豆社 iPlayer now.

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