In a jaw-dropping twist on Strictly Come Dancing’s latest results show (October 12, 2025), fans were left reeling as EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal found herself in the dreaded dance-off, sparking outrage and accusations of foul play. The beloved actress, widely considered a frontrunner for the glitterball trophy, landed in the bottom two alongside entertainment reporter Ross King, who became the second contestant eliminated from the 2025 series. Sopal’s unexpected stumble has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with fans crying “fix” and questioning the judges’ decisions.
On Saturday’s live show, Sopal and her professional partner, newcomer Julian Caillon, delivered a graceful Foxtrot to “The Way You Look Tonight,” earning a respectable 26 points. This score placed her comfortably above several competitors, including rugby star Chris Robshaw, TV personality Vicky Pattison, former footballer Karen Carney, and model Ellie Goldstein. Yet, despite her solid performance, it was Sopal who faced the dance-off, leaving viewers stunned and furious.
Social media erupted with disbelief. “Bal did NOT deserve to be in the bottom two! This is ridiculous,” one fan fumed on X. Another wrote, “She deserves so much better. How is this fair?” A third called the decision “completely undeserved,” while others went further, accusing the judges of rigging the competition to favor less consistent performers. The shock was compounded by the fact that Robshaw, who had narrowly escaped elimination the previous week against former Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner, sailed through unscathed this time.
Sopal, known for her role as Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin) on EastEnders since 2019, has been a fan favorite for her elegance and emotional performances. Paired with Australian ballroom sensation Julian Caillon, a fresh face on the 2025 Strictly roster, the duo was expected to dominate. Their presence in the dance-off felt like a betrayal of their potential, with many fans arguing that the public vote and judges’ scoring failed to reflect their talent.
Meanwhile, the night wasn’t without its highlights. Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope and his partner Katya Jones set the ballroom ablaze, earning the series’ first 10 from judge Motsi Mabuse for their electrifying Paso Doble to “The Plaza of Execution” from The Mask of Zorro. The performance was a showstopper, cementing their status as ones to watch. Similarly, Love Island’s Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin kicked off the episode with a charming American Smooth to “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” from The Sound of Music, bagging the first nines of the season.
Adding to the drama, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis was forced to sit out Saturday’s show due to illness, with doctors advising rest. His Waltz to “It Is You (I Have Loved)” from Shrek, alongside partner Dianne Buswell, was postponed, but the pair received a free pass to the next round.
As the competition heats up, Sopal’s shock dance-off has left fans questioning the fairness of the process. Was it a fluke, or is something more sinister at play? With emotions running high and accusations flying, Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is proving to be one of the most unpredictable series yet. Will Sopal bounce back, or is this the beginning of the end for the predicted champion? One thing’s for sure: the ballroom is no place for the faint of heart.