STRICTLY star Balvinder Sopal burst into tears and had to be hugged by a judge after her stunning performance.
The Eastenders star, 47, entered this week’s quarter-finals with a record number of bottom two appearances, which will have mounted pressure on her going into Saturday’s live show.
But she showed her resilience despite the setback, dancing the Vienesse Waltz to The Greatest Showman with dance partner Julian Caillon, and took judges and viewers by surprise with the “stunning routine”.
Balvinder’s powerful performance received a huge ovation from the audience, while judges echoed that reception with glowing feedback to the star.
Following her dance, Anton Du Beke told Balvinder: “I think I love you now – more than ever now.
“Firstly, congratulations – because this was epic. This was an epic performance.”
He told the star that she looked “absolutely stunning” as she made her entrance onto the stage, and praised Balvinder for keeping her position and showcasing a “magnificent” performance.
However, Craig Revel Horwood did point out areas of improvement in her technique.
He told the star: “I have a problem with your arms – they’re supposed to extend from the body, not just the shoulder.”
Craig explained that while she had a tendency to manoeuvre the right arm perfectly, “the left arm seems to be left behind”.
He listed a host of other technical errors as his feedback went on, but did admit the performance had “flow, it had feeling. it had emotion”, concluding: “You are a fighter”.
Motsi Mabuse was in awe of the routine, after what she described as a “demoralising” few weeks in the competition.
Before she could finish giving her feedback to Balvinder, she broke down in tears, being consoled by pro Julian, before Motsi quickly left the judges podium to give her a hug.
During their embrace, she was picked up on her mic saying: “You did amazing – I’m so proud of you.”
Shirley Ballas told the actress that she’s “always so put together”, and told her she’d “always be a hero for me” after producing the stellar performance despite her record dance-off appearances.
She continued: “I had chills. Anton and I [and] Motsi, we were just, it was sensitivity, grace, charm, beauty, determination.”
“I just loved it, you were great”, Shirley concluded, as Balvinder awaited judges results.
The dancing couple received a total score of 35, with Craig Revel Horwood scoring eight, while Motsi, Shirley and Anton all scoring the duo nines.
Last week, the star was in the bottom two for the fifth week running, making history as the star who won the most dance-offs.
Three former celebrities who survived four dance-offs and went onto reach the final included Jamie Laing, Fleur East, and Molly Rainford.
Last week, Balvinder and Julian went up against actress Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe.
Before dancing, Balvinder said: “The fates are sealed, whatever happens, happens.”
Both couples performed their routines again; Alex and Johannes dancing their Cha Cha to Anita Ward’s Ring My Bell, before Balvinder and Julian performed their Jive to Right Back Where We Started From by Maxine Nightingale.
After both couples had danced a second time in the dance off, the judges delivered their verdicts, with Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse choosing to save Balvinder and Anton Du Beke deciding to save Alex.
