Strictly’s Balvinder Sopal breaks down in tears as she dedicates Bollywood couple’s choice dance to her late mum
- Do you have a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal broke down in tears when he revealed his mother passed away last year ahead of Saturday’s episode of the show.
The 46-year-old soap star and her professional partner Julian Caillon performed to Ed Sheeran’s head-to-toe gold Sapphire.
Balvinder dedicated the dance preferred by the Bollywood couple to his mother Nirmal Sopal, who passed away in February 2024.
Ahead of his flashy performance, Balvinder revealed his mother was part of the reason he agreed to do Strictly.
He said: ‘Last year was a really terrible year for us. It was such a feeling to lose my mother. And still I am, I’m losing a part of me.
‘My mother and I had a great relationship and one of the things I loved was coming home from work and sitting down with my mother and having a cup of tea. We would wrap ourselves in a blanket and stay warm together
Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal, 46, broke down in tears when he revealed his mother passed away last year ahead of Saturday’s episode of the show
The 46-year-old soap opera star remembered her mother Nirmal Sopal, who passed away in February 2024, by dedicating the dance chosen by the Bollywood couple to her.
‘I said no to everything that came my way. Then Strictly came knocking and I thought ‘yeah, this is my year of yes and I’m going to do it because I want to be seen. Because my mum would want to be seen’.’
Last month, Balvinder revealed that her ballroom dancing performance had negatively affected her mental health after she participated in dance competitions twice.
But internet trolls and a demanding rehearsal schedule took a toll on his mental health.
He told the Mail on Sunday: ‘I’m really surprised at how mentally taxing it is, I don’t know why.
‘Because it’s not just the dance you have to think about, it’s everything around it. Work life, family life and everything you can see on the internet need to be balanced because we went to the dance twice.
‘It’s about people’s ideas and attitudes but you’ve got to stop it. ‘Sometimes you just have to get out of your head and enjoy it because that’s what we’re here for.’
Two years ago, actress Amanda Abbington revealed after the show that she had been diagnosed with mild post-traumatic stress disorder ‘due to a variety of reasons, both personal and professional’, and described a grueling rehearsal schedule.
Meanwhile, long-time hosts Tess Daly, 56, and Claudia Winkelman, 53, made a shock announcement this week that they would be leaving the series together after the show.
Balvinder and professional partner Julian Caillon performed to Ed Sheeran’s head-to-toe gold Sapphire
Ahead of his flamboyant performance, Balvinder revealed that his mother was part of the reason he accepted the job.
Last month, Balvinder revealed that ballroom dancing was damaging her mental health after she competed in dance competitions twice.
Claudia will host a chat show with the same producers as Graham Norton, although it was always assumed she and Tess would leave the BBC show at the same time.
Explaining how Strictly’s current cast felt about the announcement, Balvinder said: ‘Some of us are quite sad because it’s the end of an era.
‘They come from the old style of Strictly, the time of Len Goodman and Bruce Forsythe, they bring all that legacy with them.
‘So when they leave we’ll have two new people who will change direction, it’ll be a completely different show.’
He added: ‘Claudia is so funny and they are so organic. They truly are best friends, the matriarchs of the show, and they took care of the show in the best way possible.’
DEFINITELY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age:36
Job: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll bring tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I can pick up the routines as quickly as I do on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Job: Doctor Who actor
The actress jokes: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Job: EastEnders actor
Balvinder says: ‘I’m too excited to put into words how I feel, but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing in the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Job: drag artist
He says: ‘It’s definitely a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All I have to say is: good luck to my partner! I hope they can help me get from La Voix to La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Job: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring the sequins, the samba and most importantly BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football expert
He says: ‘I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I finally got the chance to take part.’
george clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘I never thought I’d say this… but I definitely do! ‘Honestly, I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in… and potentially fall a bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Job: Former Chelsea and Netherlands forward and former England manager.
He says: ‘Replacing the pitch with a ballroom is definitely not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring in a new kind of footwork that hopefully doesn’t lead to own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Job: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
He says: ‘This is a show I’ve loved watching for a long time and now the chance to be a part of it feels like a dream.’
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Job: rugby player
He says: ‘This is as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad’s dancing to a whole new level, and my mom can’t wait to drag me to a Zumba class.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I can’t wait to shine and reach the sky.’
King of Ross
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz reporter
She says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants and most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
She says: ‘I’m so excited to swap the Dales for the dance floor and take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
He says: ‘This was the craziest 24 hours of my life. ‘I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was little and now being a part of the show is like a dream come true.’
