EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki Panesar on the BBC One soap, has broken her silence after confirming she is set to take part in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing

EastEnders’ Balvinder Sopal has broken her silence since the Strictly announcement (Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal has shared an emotional message with her fans, after it was confirmed she’d be taking part in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The 46 year old actress, who is best known for her role as Suki Panesar on the popular BBC One soap, will be balancing her time between Albert Square and the famous ballroom floor as she fulfils her “Strictly dream” after “21 years”.

Since joining EastEnders in 2019, Suki has been at the heart of some of the show’s most gripping and critically acclaimed storylines, including her involvement with ‘The Six’ and her marriage to Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), which made them the first lesbian couple to wed on the show.

Balvinder said her feet ‘haven’t touched the ground’ since the announcement (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

On Saturday (August 16), Balvinder broke her silence on her Strictly gig, writing on Instagram: “A dream 21 years in the making from when I first asked my agent to ask @bbcstrictly if I could be on the show. Never did I ever think it would happen”.

“And now…. since the announcement, my feet haven’t touched the ground. And we haven’t even started properly. Yesterday was a big day; our first day meeting and greeting the Strictly Team, the other brilliant and talented contestants, and of course, the PROS.”

She added: “Watching the pros on telly is one thing… seeing them in person is a whole other story. In absolute awe.

Balvinder was the sixth contestant to be announced for the 2025 series (Image: INSTAGRAM)

“@bbceastenders – simply THANK YOU for allowing this to happen, @bbcstrictly THANK YOU for asking me. And thank you to every single one of you whom have sent messages of love and support, and shared in my absolute delight and excitement of this wonderful opportunity.”

Balvinder concluded her post: “It’s going to be tough, but I know one thing for sure, I am going to savour every single second of my journey on Strictly Come Dancing. Come, let’s dance.”

The soap star has been inundated with backing from her EastEnders colleagues, with Gurlaine Kaur Garcha, who played Balvinder’s on-screen daughter Ash, writing: “ROOTING FOR YOU MUMMA!!!!!”

Emma Barton, famous for her role as Honey Mitchell, replied with a string of love hearts, whilst Shiv Jalota, who stars as Vinny Panesar, posted: “Ahhhhhhh here we goooooo.”

Coronation Street’s Vicky Myers, who plays Lisa Swain, also offered her encouragement, commenting: “You’ve got this #teambal.”