The glitterball dreams of EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal have been dashed, as she became the latest celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing in the semi-final. Her departure, however, has sparked a significant backlash from viewers who believe the competition was stacked against her from the start.
An Emotional Journey Ends in the Dance-Off
The 47-year-old star from Gillingham in Kent saw her Strictly journey conclude on Saturday, 13 December 2025, after finding herself in the dreaded dance-off for a third time alongside her professional partner, Julian Caillon. The emotional toll of the competition was clear, with Sopal having been moved to tears on air on multiple occasions throughout the series.
Despite declaring she was "ready to fight" for a place in the grand final, the judges' decision was unanimous. They chose to save Amber Davies, the 29-year-old Love Island winner and West End performer, and her partner Nikita Kuzmin, sending them through to compete for the trophy.
Viewers Point to a Double Disadvantage
Fans of the show have been quick to voice their opinion that Sopal never stood a fair chance, citing two major reasons. Firstly, many argued that matching a soap actress against a seasoned West End star, accustomed to performing nightly in major musicals, created an inherent imbalance in experience.
Secondly, and more pointedly, viewers highlighted the stark contrast in the dances assigned for the crucial semi-final. Balvinder Sopal performed a Waltz and a Salsa, both traditional styles with strict technical rules. In contrast, Amber Davies was tasked with a 'Couple's Choice' routine—a category designed for expressive, rule-free showstoppers, which often attracts higher scores. Davies scored a perfect 40 for her performance to Raye’s cover of Fly Me To The Moon.
One disgruntled fan commented online: "I like Amber a lot... but I'm not sure it's entirely fair for her to do her rules-free couple's choice in the dance off when Balvinder has a technical salsa. That puts Balvinder at an immediate disadvantage." Another added: "AND Amber could do a no holds barred showstopper whilst Balvinder had to stick within the limitations of one style! How can that be fair?"
A Defence of Amber Davies Amid Online Abuse
The debate has unfortunately spilled over into significant online criticism directed at Amber Davies, with some fans targeting her theatrical background. Her professional partner, Nikita Kuzmin, made a heartfelt plea for kindness during the live broadcast.
Speaking directly to Davies, he said: "You have had so much hate every single day from the moment you joined... And just giving me love... you are such a lovely kind person. I think sometimes... just please be kind because it costs nothing and you don't deserve none of it."
Supporters of Davies echoed this sentiment, with one writing: "The way Amber brings nothing but joy to the dance floor, and yet she’s been met with so much hate… It’s just unfathomable."
Looking Ahead to the Grand Final
Following her elimination, a gracious Balvinder Sopal reflected on her experience: "It was my 'yes year', and I said yes to Strictly. My family, we've had some hard times, but they've been here."
Amber Davies, having now survived the dance-off for two consecutive weeks, will join social media star George Clarke and former England footballer Karen Carney in next week's grand final. Strictly Come Dancing returns for its final show at 7pm on Saturday, where the 2025 champion will be crowned live.
