Balvinder Sopal voted off Strictly Come Dancing
Balvinder Sopal has missed out on a place in the Strictly Come Dancing final after facing Amber Davies in the dance off.
Balvinder Sopal has missed out on a place in the Strictly Come Dancing final.
The EastEnders actress and her professional partner Julian Caillon have exited the competition after taking part in the dance off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin.
After Balvinder and Julian had performed their salsa and Amber and Nikita did their couple's choice again, judges Motsi Mabuse, Shriley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood - who had the casting vote - all opted to save the former Love Island star, taking them through to next week's final against George Clarke and Alexis Warr, and Karen Carney and Carlos Gu.
Balvinder adored "every single minute" of her time on Strictly and paid a heartfelt tribute to her dance partner.
She said: “I’ve absolutely adored every single minute. All the dance offs, all the challenges, but just more than anything, just being in this building and dancing on this floor with such an amazing human being. It was my Yes Year, and I said yes to Strictly. My family, we've had some hard times, but they’ve been here.”
She added to Julian: “I mean, I have no words, actually. You've been brilliant in every sense of the word, when I wobbled, and when I felt really brilliant about the dance and got the steps right, you've just held me in your hands and you've gone, Bal, we've got this. It's just me and you, and we're gonna do this together.
"And we have done every single dance together, I've never felt alone on this floor, and I just want you to remember me. Don’t replace me too soon!”
Meannwhile, Julian was thankful he had Balvinder as his first ever celebrity partner on Strictly.
He said: “I just think that Bal embodies what this competition is about. Her spirit is unbreakable, and [to Bal] you have shown me that I'm actually dreaming too small, and Bal can inspire us that whatever any of us want in life, all you have to have is the desire to go after it. It took six dance offs and a perfect score to take this lady out, so I am so so proud of you!”
The results show also featured a special surprise for hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman ahead of their departure after the show's Christmas Special.
The presenters were treated to a highlights package of their time working on the show, including footage from their time with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth, and new interviews with the judges.
The panel, assisted by Kai Widdrington, then presented both Claudia and Tess with their own golden Glitterball Trophy.
Kylie Minogue and James also performed on the show.
