logo
Strictly Come Dancing 2025 set to sign huge EastEnders star after dramatic Six murder

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 set to sign huge EastEnders star after dramatic Six murder

Scottish Sun08-07-2025
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
STRICTLY Come Dancing is set to sign a big EastEnders star for this year's series, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
The soap actress joins a long list of Albert Square residents who have competed on the BBC1 dance series - and done sensationally well.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
4
Balvinder Sopal is set to sign up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing
Credit: Getty
4
Balvinder has played Suki Panesar for five years in EastEnders
Credit: BBC
The lucky star gearing up for the dance floor is Balvinder Sopal, 46, plays Walford matriarch Suki Panesar.
Her hard-nosed character was one of the infamous 'Six' who covered up the murder of mechanic Keanu Taylor.
A source said: 'EastEnders has been a happy hunting ground for Strictly bosses since the show first aired and they believe Balvinder will be a huge hit with fans.
'She's excited by the prospect, too, as she feels viewers will see a different side to her.'
Balvinder made appearances in rival soaps Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks before bagging her breakthrough role on EastEnders.
Her character Suki initially joined as a villain, faking cancer to win over her family who had all turned against her.
But over the years she finally won them over, managing to escape the clutches of her abusive husband Nish who tried to kill her after discovering she had a secret lesbian affair with Eve Unwin.
Suki finally married her lover having spent her entire adult life hiding her true sexuality and the couple now live with her son Vinny and stepson Ravi, and his children Davinder and Avani, and front various local businesses.
In 2024 she was recognised for her work on Albert Square by winning the Soap Superstar gong at the Inside Soap Awards for her part in Keanu's death cover up - and bloody battles with husband Nish.
Strictly has featured at least one current EastEnders star in the show's line-up in nearly every series since the dancing show first aired in 2004.
EastEnders reveals New Year's Day bloodbath survivors - and who DIES
Last year, Jamie Borthwick got the call up, following on from Bobby Brazier (2023), James Bye (2022), Rose Ayling-Ellis (2021), Maisie Smith (2020) and Emma Barton (2019).
Previous Albert Square dancers have also included Brian Conley (2017), Tameka Empson (2016), Kellie Bright (2015), Jake Wood (2014), Sid Owen (2012), Scott Maslen (2010), Ricky Groves (2009), Gillian Taylforth (2008), Letitia Dean (2007), Louisa Lytton (2006) Patsy Palmer (2005) and Christopher Parker (2004).
A BBC spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculation."
4
Jamie Borthwick appeared on the show last year
Credit: PA
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Emmerdale star reveals why she has never married after her 'world shattered'
Emmerdale star reveals why she has never married after her 'world shattered'

Metro

time3 minutes ago

  • Metro

Emmerdale star reveals why she has never married after her 'world shattered'

Emmerdale's Natalie J Robb has opened up about her life away from the ITV soap. The actress, who plays Moira Dingle, doesn't have any children, but adores looking after dogs. The 50-year-old soap star is also single, and recently spoke about how she doesn't really have any intention of settling down and getting married. 'I don't have any children, apart from furry animals', she said. 'Last year in February, I lost Bronson, my best friend. Never felt grief like it, it doesn't go away. Now Buddy [her new adopted dog] won't stop growing. I just love the companionship of an animal'. Continuing her chat with the Mirror, Natalie, who was previously in a relationship with her co-star Jonny McPherson, went on to reveal that her mum's divorce seriously impacted her when she was a child. 'I've never been one for marriage. My mum got divorced when I was very young. I think my world shattered when that happened. 'But I don't believe people need marriage anymore. A lot of them have children – that's a marriage in itself. I'm 50 now, I spent a lot of time trying to find love but it wasn't the right thing for me. I should have just been more single then, rather than find something.' More Trending Natalie's Emmerdale character Moira has faced a stressful few months. After John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) tampered with the slurry tank, the contaminated liquid damaged some of her farmland. It also flowed into the main water supply, leaving the village without running water for days. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Butlers Farm was then dealt with a number of fines as a result. Moira has struggled to pay them off, which has caused Kim and Joe Tate (Claire King and Ned Porteous) to try and take advantage. The Tates are hoping to buy all of the land that surrounds Home Farm so they can become more powerful than ever before. View More » It means they need to buy Moira's farm, but whether she'll give up her livelihood after so long remains to be seen. MORE: All 24 Emmerdale pictures for next week confirm character returns and violence MORE: Danny Miller in awe as he issues update on wife Steph after birth of third child MORE: Coronation Street legend Maureen Lipman reveals difficulties she has on set

Why is EastEnders not on tonight? Soap schedule changes revealed
Why is EastEnders not on tonight? Soap schedule changes revealed

Metro

time3 minutes ago

  • Metro

Why is EastEnders not on tonight? Soap schedule changes revealed

EastEnders has been hit by yet more schedule changes, taking the BBC soap off air tonight. Soap fans have faced plenty of disruption this summer, with various sporting events playing havoc with our regular viewing schedules. Tonight, it is EastEnders that takes the brunt of the changes, with Emmerdale having been affected earlier this week. The ITV soap was shunted from its usual slot by coverage of the England vs Italy UEFA Women's Euro match, which saw the Lionesses take home the victory with two goals to one. In previous weeks, EastEnders has also been shifted for events like Wimbledon and previous UEFA Women's Euro football matches Instead of their usual trip to Albert Square at 7.30pm this evening, BBC1 viewers will be met with coverage of the UEFA Women's Euro. Tonight, Germany takes on Spain in the second semi-final of the event, with the match set to kick off at 8pm. Fortunately, EastEnders fans haven't missed out on their weekly dose of drama, with the soap having aired a double-bill of episodes last night. The London-based soap will next hit our screens at its usual time of 7.30pm tomorrow, where there is more drama for the Brannings and Panesars. Oscar Branning (Pierre Moullier) gets a warning from uncle Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) tomorrow night, demanding that he not cause Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) any trouble. However, when Oscar later agrees to babysit so the couple can go out for a meal, he is horrified when an old acquaintance arrives and threatens him, leaving another sinister threat behind as he scarpers. More Trending Elsewhere, Suki Panesar (Balvinder Sopal) has a lot on her plate as Vinny Panesar (Shiv Jalota) leaves for Ash's engagement party and she heads to discuss Avani Nandra-Hart's (Aaliyah James) pregnancy with the Granthi. Later, she manages to fix things with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace)as she makes amends for her recent behaviour. View More » Meanwhile, Avani explains the reasoning behind her decision to have an abortion to Barney Mitchell (Lewis Bridgeman). MORE: All EastEnders cast returns, exits and new arrivals coming up in 2025 MORE: EastEnders' Oscar receives a blast from the past as things take a turn MORE: All 43 EastEnders spoiler pictures for next week as a legend returns again

EastEnders fans 'obsessed' as Walford legend returns to TV screens
EastEnders fans 'obsessed' as Walford legend returns to TV screens

Metro

time3 minutes ago

  • Metro

EastEnders fans 'obsessed' as Walford legend returns to TV screens

Much-loved EastEnders legend Cheryl Fergison has made a grand return to TV screens in a hit comedy series. The actress, who played iconic character Heather Trott on the BBC One soap from 2007 to 2012, has been open about her financial struggles and lack of work in recent years. Last year Cheryl opened up about being unable to find work, and how she was able to get help from a food bank, as well as from co-star Dame Barbara Windsor. 'The lovely late great Barbara Windsor was getting her chequebook out to help me,' she said. 'They helped me out a lot and helped my family.' Now, Cheryl has returned to our screens in a guest role in BBC Two's surreal comedy Mandy, which is written by and stars Diane Morgan. Each episode follows the exploits of permanently out of work Mandy Carter and her best friend Lola, who often find themselves in madcap situations and meeting colourful characters. In the first episode of the latest series, which can be streamed now on iPlayer, Mandy is forced to attend a restart scheme at her local job centre, where she meets Stella (Fergison), a mute woman who only speaks once to say she 'looks dirty'. After performing illegal cosmetic surgery on an old school mate, the titular character then splashes the cash on an expensive new outfit to prove Stella and the other attendees wrong. Taking to social media, Cheryl's fans have expressed their elation at seeing her again. 'Obsessed with Cheryl 'two words' Fergison. She did a cracking job,' said one on X. More Trending Another added: 'Congrats Cheryl!' A third said: 'Can we talk about the amount of cameos in Mandy cuz what do u mean Cheryl Fergison and Martin Lewis casually popped up within the first ep of series 4?' 'Ar Cheryl is in the new season of Mandy,' commented a fourth. View More » Mandy can be streamed now on BBC iPlayer. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: When is The Great British Sewing Bee on and who is the host? MORE: The Great British Sewing Bee is back – but I miss Kiell Smith-Bynoe MORE: Extraordinary BBC drama that 'perfectly encapsulated grief' celebrated by fans 9 years later

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store