Strictly Come Dancing's Balvinder Sopal's horror admission after training injury
Balvinder will be one of the celebrities battling for a place in next week's BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Balvinder Sopal, one of the 15 celebrities lighting up the dance floor on tonight's Strictly Come Dancing, is set to dazzle viewers once again at 6.30pm on BBC One.
The EastEnders star, best known for her role as Suki Panesar in the popular BBC soap, has confessed that training for the dance competition has been the most challenging task of her career. She admitted: "I can't tell you, this is the hardest I think I've ever worked. The pros are incredible, superhuman, literal gods honestly. The way they move, the way they teach you it's just brilliant and I'm loving every single second of it."
The actress shared this update while disclosing that she had needed hospital treatment after what seemed like a painful accident. She elaborated: "So it's the second day of training and I'm at physio. Something popped and I'm here to find out what exactly.
"I'm fine, everything is okay. I can still walk and still move but my left glute, my left hip is feeling a little tight and uneasy, so I'm going to get someone to look at it."
Despite the hiccup, Balvinder hasn't let it affect her involvement in the show. The next day, she posted on social media: "Day three training done.", reports Wales Online.
"Hip/glute all good - just tight. Thank you for all your messages of love and support."
Balvinder's participation in this year's Strictly was revealed on Good Morning Britain, leaving her stunned as she reacted to the announcement on the ITV breakfast programme.
She said: "Really excited. I can't stop the butterflies. I'm hoping I'll be able to contain them on the floor."
Balvinder confessed that she has some background in dancing, particularly enjoying Latin styles.
She said: "I love the Latin. They're so excited and passionate dancers. We all love drama, don't we?" She added: "It's about telling a story with your body and your feet.
"It will be like learning a new language. I will still be working here. I'll be doing two jobs. I don't know how I'm going to handle it, but we'll see."
Her stint on Strictly carries particular meaning for Balvinder as she sees it as a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to her late mum Nirmal, who died last year.
She said: "This is her dream actually. I think she would have been really proud. I'm holding mum's legacy up".
Last year, Balvinder shared news of her mum's death in a heartfelt tribute.
She said: "27th February 2024, 11.30pm, mum passed peacefully, with dignity and grace, just as she'd lived her whole life.
"My sister and I had settled in for the night shift at the hospital. The lads had come, spent the day, and just as the last of them left... mum passed, with me and my sister holding her hands. We walked mum as far as we could. It's been hard, but I've never known strength like mums. I'm proud to be her daughter.
"As we told people, the one thing constant in people's memory was Mums huge warm smile, her ability to adapt to change and show love and respect to all. Our home was always open; a shelter from the rain whilst waiting for the bus. For pronthey and chaa. For all the children to come and chill after school. There was always food. Our home was busy, warm, and full of love because of mum.
"Mum would come to live out her dream; she wanted to marry a man who lived abroad. dad had moved to England in 1974. He'd enquired about mum 9 years previous. When I asked mum if she'd waited for dad, she replied, "No, but I had always hoped he hadn't married anyone else. " Some things are just meant to be.
"Mum had two degrees; BA and MA in Fine Arts. However, she worked from home, doing piecework on a brother machine that still sits by the back window, whilst raising a family of 4.
"Later, she learned to drive so she could usher us to and from school/work/mates houses. Once we'd all grown up, mum decided she'd put her impeccable sewing skills to use by working for Rayner and Sturgess; a bespoke shirt factory, one of its kind.
"They made shirts for Ray Winston, some of the Royals, and Daniel Craig. The workforce, all women would still only be paid a minimum wage. But it gave mum deep friendships and confidence to be her own woman. A confidence she passed on to us."
"A fierce supporter of all of her kids and grandkids mums unique ability to get through to us was second to none. She was our rock, friend, confidant, guiding light.
"She was my No. 1 fan travelling up and down the country, with dad watching shows.
"Mum was an extraordinary teacher of life just by being and doing everything with love. LOVE is Mum's legacy. We are the lucky ones. Rest well. Thank U, Mum Nirmal Sopal 13/07/51 - 27/02/24."