EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal on Strictly Come Dancing 2025
Sopal has enjoyed a career spanning over two decades as an actor.
As well as her role on EastEnders, she has appeared in other British soaps including Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Doctors and Hollyoaks.
The actress was announced as a contestant on the show live from Albert Square on ITV's Good Morning Britain today, August 12.
On joining the show, she said: "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'm far too excited to put into words how I feel but I'm incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom!"
A post shared by Balvinder Sopal (@leesopal)
There have now been five names revealed for the new series so far, with more to come.
Here are the celebrities already confirmed to be taking part:
The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.
Recommended reading:
Strictly fans 'excited' as first 'confirmed' celebrity spotted at BBC studio
Strictly Come Dancing confirms two new dancers that 'viewers are going to love'
Doctor Who star revealed as third Strictly Come Dancing celebrity for 2025
Professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola will all take to the floor once more.
Two new professional dancers, American-born Alexis Warr and Australian-born Julian Caillon, are also joining the cast.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
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