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Key events
“Everyone’s been brilliant,” adds Balvinder. “The minute you walk into this building, it’s like a massive hug. It’s such a wonderful place to work. Thank you to the judges. Claud and Tess, I’m grateful that I got to be on the show on your last moment here as well, because you, for me, are what Strictly is about. You’re the era of Len Goodman and Bruce Forsyth. That’s when I started watching it. For me, that’s really special. This year has been full of so many serendipitous moments. I’m so lucky and very happy.”
Lovely use of serendipitous and all.
Jules returns the compliment
Balvinder’s pro partner Julian Baillon says: “I just think that Bal embodies what this competition is about. Her spirit is unbreakable. You have shown me that I’m actually dreaming too small. Bal can inspire us. Whatever any of us want in life, all you need is the desire to go after it. It took six dance-offs and a perfect score to take this lady out. I am so, so proud of you!”
Bless that big-hearted, handsome man.
Ballroom Bal takes her bow
In her exit interview with Tess Daly, Bavinder says: “I’ve absolutely adored every single minute. All the dance-offs, all the challenges, but 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’s had some hard times but they’ve been here.
“I have no words about Julian, actually. You’ve been brilliant in every sense of the word. When I wobbled or when I felt really brilliant about the dance and got the steps right, you’ve just held me in your hands and 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. I just want you to remember me. Don’t replace me too soon!”
Beautifully said, Bal. Bravo.
Craig Revel Horwood agrees
It’s unanimous. Craig’s casting vote isn’t needed but he would also have saved Amber and Nikita.
Balvinder Sopal is eliminated
Dramatic EastEnders-style doof-doofs as Bal becomes the 12th and last celebrity to depart the Strictly 2025 dancefloor.
Anton du Beke chooses to save…
Amber and Nikita, saying “Balvinder is like a different woman in a dance-off and danced amazingly but Amber brought such quality and refinement”.
Head judge Shirley Ballas chooses to save…
Amber and Nikita, saying “two top-class ladies”.
Motsi Mabuse chooses to save…
Amber and Nikita, saying “beautiful dancing by both but I want to see them in the final”.
Verdict time
Probably a foregone conclusion but let’s go over to the panel whose decision counts.
Three of the judges scored Amber one point more than Balvinder last night but Craig saw a two-point difference – and remember he has the casting vote.
Amber takes her turn
Amber Davies and her pro partner Nikita Kuzmin reprise their jazzy and theatrical Couple’s Choice to RAYE’s version of Fly Me to the Moon. The judges said last night that it was Hollywood all the way and up there with the best Strictly dances.
It scored a perfect 40, her third maximum in three weeks and five points more than Balvinder. Surely only glaring mistakes or falling over can lose it for her?
Balvinder goes first in dance-off
First up, Balvinder Sopal and her pro partner Julian Caillon have another go at their salsa to Rhythm Is Gonna Get You/Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan. The judges said last night that it was rhythmic and fearless with great precision and timing but with some stop-start transitions and lacked fluidity in and out of the lifts.
It scored 35 points, five fewer than Amber’s Couple’s Choice. Can Bal improve sufficiently to close the gap and hope that Amber makes some epic mistakes?
