Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal became emotional ahead of Saturday’s episode as she opened up about the loss of her mother last year.
The 46-year-old soap actress, alongside her professional partner Julian Caillon, performed a glittering Bollywood couple’s dance to Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire, dressed entirely in gold.
Balvinder dedicated the routine to her mother, Nirmal Sopal, who passed away in February 2024.
Speaking before the performance, she explained that her mother’s memory was a major reason she chose to take part in Strictly.
“Last year was incredibly hard for us. Losing my mum felt like losing a part of myself, and it still does,” she said. “My mum and I had an amazing bond. One of my favourite things was coming home from work, sharing a cup of tea with her, wrapped up in a blanket, just enjoying that warmth together.”
Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal, 46, became emotional ahead of Saturday’s episode as she shared that her mother had passed away last year.
The 46-year-old soap star honoured her mother, Nirmal Sopal, who passed away in February 2024, by dedicating her Bollywood couple’s choice dance to her.
“I had turned down every opportunity that came my way, but then Strictly came along and I thought, ‘Yes, this is my year. I want to do it because my mum would want me to be seen,’” Balvinder explained.
Last month, she admitted that the show has been challenging for her mental health, especially after landing in the dance-off twice.
She told the Mail on Sunday: “I’m really surprised at how mentally draining it’s been. It’s not just the dancing — it’s balancing work, family, and everything else, plus the reactions you see online after being in the dance-off twice. People’s opinions can get to you, but you have to step back sometimes and just enjoy the experience, because that’s what it’s all about.”
Balvinder’s struggles echo those of actress Amanda Abbington, who revealed two years ago that she had been diagnosed with mild PTSD after appearing on the show, citing both personal and professional pressures and the exhausting rehearsal schedule.
Meanwhile, longtime Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkleman, 53, shocked fans this week by announcing they will be leaving the show together after this series.
Balvinder Sopal and her professional partner Julian Caillon performed their Bollywood routine to Ed Sheeran’s Sapphire, dressed entirely in gold.
Last month, Balvinder revealed that the show has been mentally challenging, particularly after landing in the dance-off twice.
Claudia is set to move on to host a chat show produced by the same team behind The Graham Norton Show, and it had always been agreed that she and Tess would depart the BBC show simultaneously.
Reflecting on the cast’s reaction to the news, Balvinder said, “Some of us are quite sad because it really feels like the end of an era. Tess and Claudia are part of the old school of Strictly, from the days of Len Goodman and Bruce Forsythe, and they carry all that legacy with them.
“When they leave, we’ll have two new hosts, and the show will inevitably take a different direction.”
She added, “Claudia is so funny, and together they’re so natural. They really are the best friends, the matriarchs of the show, and they’ve looked after it in the best possible way.”