Strictly Come Dancing viewers have expressed concern for Balvinder Sopal's confidence after the EastEnders actress found herself in the dance-off for the fourth time in the series. Alongside professional partner Julian Caillon, Sopal was tied at the bottom of the leaderboard with Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington, both scoring 27 points from the judges.
This marked the fourth occasion Sopal has faced potential elimination out of seven dance-offs held so far. Before the dance-off, she poignantly confessed: 'I don't want to do it. I really don't want to do it.' Vicky Pattison, who was eliminated on her 38th birthday, described Sopal as 'one of my absolute best friends in this competition' and called the situation 'horrible.'
The judges unanimously saved Sopal after she performed an American Smooth to 'My Guy' by Mary Wells, propelling her to next week's Blackpool special. However, fans took to social media to share their worries. One wrote: 'I fear #Strictly will break Bal,' while another said: 'Obvious that being in the dance off almost every week is getting to balvinder and is affecting her confidence.'
Sopal has previously acknowledged the mental toll of the competition, telling the Mail on Sunday: 'I am really surprised at how mentally taxing it has been... it's people's opinions and attitudes... you just have to get out of your head and enjoy it.' Earlier, she told Claudia Winkleman after progressing to Halloween week: 'I didn't think we were going to be here. When they called our names I was a little bit like there's been a mistake.'
The record for most dance-offs on Strictly belongs to Tristan MacManus and Jamelia, who faced five during Series 13. The final seven couples will perform at the Tower Ballroom for Blackpool next Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
