- Balvinder Sopal received her highest score yet on Strictly, 35 points, for a Viennese Waltz to ‘Never Enough’ from The Greatest Showman
- Overcome with emotion after receiving high praise from the judges, Balvinder was comforted by Motsi Mabuse with a hug
- Fans and judges were deeply moved by the performance, praising her determination and the emotional resonance of her dance
Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal fought back tears in the wake of Saturday night’s emotional performance, prompting a sympathetic hug from judge Motsi Mabuse.
Balvinder and professional partner Julian Caillon haven’t exactly had an easy time of it in recent weeks – becoming the first couple in the show’s history to survive five dance-offs.
Still, the EastEnders star has persevered, and as the competition entered week 11, Balvinder and Julian took to the dancefloor for Strictly’s musicals special.
After performing the Viennese Waltz to Never Enough from The Greatest Showman, Balvinder’s performance earned the pair 35 points in total – their highest score in Strictly to date.
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And, as Balvinder took in the judges’ remarks, she was clearly struggling to fight back her tears.
Finally breaking down as Motsi launched into her crituque, Balvinder was then joined by the judge, who offered a comforting hug.
Motsi had begun: ‘Whatever you wanted to say for the last weeks came out through that dance.’
She continued: ‘It must be really demoralising what you have been through in this competition…’
Noticing that Balvinder had begun to cry, Motsi broke off, saying: ‘Oh now I have to go… I have to give you a hug.’
She then ran down and hugged the Suki Panesar star, telling her how ‘proud’ she was.
Viewers on social media were equally moved, taking to X to share their words of support for the beleaguered actress.
‘In bits,’ wrote Amandajae333. ‘Balvinder Sopal the woman you are.’
‘I’m not crying, you’re crying. No… wait, that is me. One of my favourite dances this season,’ said AutumnBlue44.
SabrinaSpectre commented: ‘I am in tears. Honestly, her strength to come back week after week and then give us that performance – nothing short of magical.’
‘Balvinder dancing to Never Enough is like a stab to the throat I really hope she does well this week,’ echoed aoife_s29.
This came as the judges each scored her and Julian nine points – with Craig Revel Horwood as the sole detractor with a still-respectable eight.
Dissenting Craig had raised an issue with her arm placement – highlighting how ‘they need to extend from the body not just the shoulder.’
This evoked apologies from an emotional Balvinder, who replied: ‘Sorry. I’m so sorry,’ as he made his comments.
Still, it wasn’t enough to stop the pair from receiving their highest set of scores to date.
‘You will always be a hero for me,’ said Shirley Ballas. ‘Going through what you go through and coming back to dance that kind of performance… I hadchills.
‘It was sensitivity, grace, charm, beauty, determination.’
‘I think I love you. More than ever now,’ Anton Du Beke agreed, describing the beginning of her performance as ‘exquisite.’
As she spoke to Claudia Winkleman afterwards, Balvinder said: ‘I have waited all competition for that feeling, and I’m so grateful.
‘I’m actually really grateful for what I’ve heard tonight, and it’s just it’s blown my heart to love this and to do justice to that song.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Sunday at 7:45pm.
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