Balvinder Sopal has made history on Strictly Come Dancing by winning a record fifth dance-off, eliminating Doctor Who star Alex Kingston. The EastEnders actress faced Kingston in Sunday night's dance-off, with judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas all saving Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon. Anton Du Beke was the only judge to vote for Kingston and Johannes Radebe, who became the latest couple to leave the competition.
This victory marks Sopal's fifth successful dance-off, surpassing the previous record held by singer Jamelia, who won four dance-offs in 2015 before being eliminated on her fifth appearance. Sopal has now defeated Alex Kingston, Vicky Pattison, Ellie Goldstein, Chris Robshaw and Ross King in the bottom two this series, sealing her place in the quarter-final alongside George Clarke, Lewis Cope, Karen Carney and Amber Davies.
Fans have taken to social media to praise Sopal's resilience. One viewer wrote: 'Balvinder has done so well taking everything in her stride.' Another commented: 'She's taken out 1/3 of the 2025 Strictly Come Dancing Cast.' Sopal's consistent survival has sparked debate among viewers, but her performances have earned her a spot in the show's later stages.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6:50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
