Strictly's Balvinder Sopal gets Gillingham support

Balvinder Sopal has reached Blackpool week on Strictly Come Dancing

People in Strictly Come Dancing star Balvinder Sopal's home town have been wishing her good luck ahead of Saturday night's show in Blackpool.

Sopal, from Gillingham, Kent, is one of seven celebrities left in week nine of the competition, with La Voix missing the week's programmes through injury.

A local school where the EastEnders actor's niece is pupil, posted on Facebook: "We would like to wish Balvinder the very best of luck in Blackpool."

The school called on its community to "show support and help cheer Balvinder through to another week".

The actor, who has played Suki Panesar in EastEnders since 2020, and her dance partner Julian Caillon have been in Strictly's bottom two a total of four times this series, surviving a dance-off each time.

Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon compete in Blackpool on Saturday

On joining the BBC's Saturday night top-rated dance show she said: "Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen.

"Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of."

Speaking to BBC Radio Kent during Strictly rehearsals in week six, Sopal said: "It's super exhausting stuff. My feet ache every time I dance.

Balvinder Sopal has played Suki Panesar in EastEnders since 2020

"I lay down with my legs against a wall just to let the blood flow back down.

"I've had family and friends come to watch the show. It has been great."

The actor added: "Having them there really secures you and makes you feel really grounded."

On Saturday the couple will be dancing the Argentine Tango to The Logical Song by Supertramp.