Balvinder Sopal has revealed that it’s ‘not always easy to keep it together’ behind the ‘glitz and glamour’ of Strictly – after being in the dance off four times in eight weeks.
The EastEnders actress, 46, and her pro partner Julian Caillon, 30, have had a tough time in the competition so far.
And on Sunday they were in the bottom two yet again – which ended with them being saved and Vicky Pattison being sent home in the ‘most shocking elimination yet’.
She reflected on her journey in an Instagram post after the show and opened up about how she has been doing ahead of Blackpool next weekend.
In a post on Instagram on Sunday she penned: ‘Team Balian are Blackpool bound!!!!! The American Smooth Foxtrot, is now another one of my favourite dances. I loved dancing that with @julian_caillon and it really did feel like it was just me and him out there on the dance floor ☺️
‘Behind the glitz and glamour, the spectacle and the drama are real people’s lives. We still have to manage what goes on outside of the rehearsal room and dance floor, and it’s not always easy to keep it together.
Balvinder Sopal has revealed that it’s ‘not always easy to keep it together’ behind the ‘glitz and glamour’ of Strictly – after being in the dance off four times in eight weeks
The EastEnders actress, 46, and her pro partner Julian Caillon, 30, have had a tough time in the competition so far
‘But what we do, do – despite everything – is show up, every week, and we tell a story, whether that’s in the dance itself or because of a dance off. We always tell a story.
‘Because at heart we are storytellers. And now, we get to write another chapter in the story of #Balian, in Blackpool with one of my all time favourite dances (soon to be revealed) – someone is definitely shining down on us. I didn’t think we’d make it this far but I am so grateful to still be here & so excited
‘Jules… you are the epitome of strength, just when I think we can’t… you push and unlock another level for us as a team and individually. I am beyond proud of you and #Balian.’
Vicky became the seventh star booted from Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday in what has been branded the ‘most shocking elimination yet’ after the results leaked online ahead of the show.
The TV personality, 38, and pro partner Kai Widdrington, 30, missed a place in next weeks Blackpool special after losing the dreaded dance-off against Balvinder.
After both couples performed again, judges Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Balvinder, while Craig Revel Horwood, who this week had the casting vote, said he too would have saved the soap star should he have been required to vote.
Despite both pairs landing at the bottom of Saturday’s leaderboard fans were shocked by who the judges decided to save.
She wrote in a post: ‘Behind the glitz and glamour, the spectacle and the drama are real people’s lives. We still have to manage what goes on outside of the rehearsal room and dance floor, and it’s not always easy to keep it together’
She reflected on her journey in the Instagram post after the show and opened up about how she has been doing ahead of Blackpool next weekend
An emotional Vicky told host Tess Daly: ‘It was so lovely while it lasted, and I’ve had the nicest time. I knew this week was a difficult one for me, and I tried my hardest as I have every week, listen, I didn’t think I’d get past week one’.
‘And I’m really honoured to have shared this experience with so many amazing people.
‘Mostly with this fella [Kai] right here. I don’t want to sound too cheesy but [to Kai] you’ve been the best partner a girl can ask for. I’m so sorry I didn’t get you to Blackpool but I feel like I’ve won just by having you as my partner and I’m so grateful’.
While Kai gushed: ‘[Vicky] You are everything that this series is about. Strong, confident, independent – and all that I can say is, I have loved every single second’.
‘I’m going to be gutted not coming to Blackpool with you on Monday. But I just want you to know that I feel like I have also won getting you as my partner, and you will live on in Strictly history forever’.
Sunday’s results episode is pre-recorded in secret following the main show with strict security measures in order to keep the identity of the eliminated star a secret.
But fans were left dismayed after the ‘shock’ news result was leaked on while cameras were still rolling on Saturday.
A source told The Sun: ‘Spoilers have plagued Strictly for years with fans struggling to avoid finding out who leaves before the Sunday results show airs.
‘Now, results are ending up online while the cameras are still rolling. It means there is a whodunnit mystery gripping the set’.
And after learning of which celebrity has narrowly missed out on Blackpool Week, fans took to social media to admit they were ‘devastated’ and ‘fuming’, with the majority confessing they hadn’t seen the result coming.
Voicing their shock, they wrote: ‘Wow, wasn’t expecting that result. I need a lie down , flippin eck’;
Seen performing her couple’s choice dance
”Really shocked. Thought the eliminated person would definitely be in the final.’; ‘This bottom 2 was expected but I am SO shocked at who the judges saved’.
‘First time this series that I’ve been surprised by who was voted off.’; i am STUNNED with that spoiler, a bottom two that should never have been’.
‘This is a shocker, something must of happened! I genuinely thought they were a finalist’; ‘THIS IS INSANE WTF MOST SHOCKING ELIMINATION YET??’.
While many angrily declared that the judges had made the wrong call, insisting the person eliminated had been in line for the final.
