Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal was overcome with emotion after hearing she was safe on Sunday night.
Actress Balvinder Sopal fought back tears on the latest episode of Strictly Come Dancing as the contestants waited with bated breath to find out who’d won the public’s vote.
Sunday night’s BBC show revealed which celebrities had been saved by viewers and would stay in the running.
The previous night, the stars had paid tribute to musical legends for Icons Week, with an emotional message for Vicky Pattison during the live broadcast.
The leaderboard was neck and neck, leaving fans on edge as to which contestants would have to perform again to win over the judges.
When the safe contestants were announced, Balvinder’s name was the first to be called. Both she and her professional partner, Julian Caillon, were visibly stunned, having faced two consecutive dance-offs.
Later, in an interview with Claudia Winkleman, the EastEnders actress was clearly overcome with emotion.
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Asked what she wanted to say to the public, Balvinder’s voice trembled as she began: “I think first of all, I want to say thank you to every single person that voted for us.”
Julian comforted her with a hug as she continued, her voice cracking: “I didn’t think we were going to be here. When they called our names out, I was a little bit like, ‘There’s been a mistake’. But I mean, wow. Thank you.”
Julian wrapped Balvinder in another warm embrace as the other safe celebs clapped for her.
The professional dancer lauded Balvinder’s resilience after facing not just one, but two dance-offs, reports Wales Online.
He continued: “It’s really hard to keep turning up, that’s the hardest thing you can do and Bal, you’ve done that. You keep turning up, and you got your reward now, we can relax for a little bit. I’m just so proud of you.”
Unfortunately, BBC viewers watched Amber Davies and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink battle it out in the dance-off, both having to strut their stuff once more for the judges.
Ultimately, the panel unanimously voted to keep Amber in the competition, signalling the end of Jimmy’s time on the show.
Reflecting on his journey with Tess Daly, he said: “I have absolutely loved my experience. I can only say thank you very much for letting me have this experience, and to my daughters for pushing me to come here and do this.
“I never expected that I would enjoy it this much. The people behind the scenes, from the wardrobe people to the hairdressers to the make-up people, are absolutely magnificent – thank you very much.
“This experience is going to live with me forever. Most importantly, [to Lauren], this girl is just absolutely incredible. She has been absolutely amazing with me. [To Lauren] You are a diamond.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 1 November at 6.35pm.
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