Strictly Come Dancing 2025 set to sign huge EastEnders star after dramatic Six murder
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STRICTLY Come Dancing is set to sign a big EastEnders star for this year's series, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
The soap actress joins a long list of Albert Square residents who have competed on the BBC1 dance series - and done sensationally well.
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Balvinder Sopal is set to sign up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing
Credit: Getty
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Balvinder has played Suki Panesar for five years in EastEnders
Credit: BBC
The lucky star gearing up for the dance floor is Balvinder Sopal, 46, plays Walford matriarch Suki Panesar.
Her hard-nosed character was one of the infamous 'Six' who covered up the murder of mechanic Keanu Taylor.
A source said: 'EastEnders has been a happy hunting ground for Strictly bosses since the show first aired and they believe Balvinder will be a huge hit with fans.
'She's excited by the prospect, too, as she feels viewers will see a different side to her.'
Balvinder made appearances in rival soaps Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks before bagging her breakthrough role on EastEnders.
Her character Suki initially joined as a villain, faking cancer to win over her family who had all turned against her.
But over the years she finally won them over, managing to escape the clutches of her abusive husband Nish who tried to kill her after discovering she had a secret lesbian affair with Eve Unwin.
Suki finally married her lover having spent her entire adult life hiding her true sexuality and the couple now live with her son Vinny and stepson Ravi, and his children Davinder and Avani, and front various local businesses.
In 2024 she was recognised for her work on Albert Square by winning the Soap Superstar gong at the Inside Soap Awards for her part in Keanu's death cover up - and bloody battles with husband Nish.
Strictly has featured at least one current EastEnders star in the show's line-up in nearly every series since the dancing show first aired in 2004.
EastEnders reveals New Year's Day bloodbath survivors - and who DIES
Last year, Jamie Borthwick got the call up, following on from Bobby Brazier (2023), James Bye (2022), Rose Ayling-Ellis (2021), Maisie Smith (2020) and Emma Barton (2019).
Previous Albert Square dancers have also included Brian Conley (2017), Tameka Empson (2016), Kellie Bright (2015), Jake Wood (2014), Sid Owen (2012), Scott Maslen (2010), Ricky Groves (2009), Gillian Taylforth (2008), Letitia Dean (2007), Louisa Lytton (2006) Patsy Palmer (2005) and Christopher Parker (2004).
A BBC spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculation."
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Jamie Borthwick appeared on the show last year
Credit: PA
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Western Telegraph
26 minutes ago
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Gregg Wallace sacked as MasterChef presenter, says BBC News
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Scottish Sun
27 minutes ago
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Gregg Wallace hit by 50 allegations claiming star pulled down trousers and groped colleague as he's fired by BBC
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREGG Wallace has been hit by misconduct claims from 50 new people, it was sensationally revealed last night. They include allegations that the star - now sacked as MasterChef presenter - groped one show worker and pulled his trousers down in front of two others. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Gregg Wallace has been sacked from his job at the BBC Credit: PA 5 The presenter has been slammed with 50 new allegations of misconduct Credit: PA One of the two described it a 'predatory' encounter. She also claimed a boss dismissed her report of the alleged incident as she was over 16 and 'not being Jimmy Savile-d'. Another woman claimed Wallace groped her bottom while he spoke to ex co-host John Torode at the bar, during a wrap party in 2013. The bombshell claims emerged after a nine-month sexual misconduct investigation into the star, who denies any wrongdoing. And the claims come after Wallace, 60, stepped down as MasterChef presenter last November. He exited the show after 13 people accused him of making inappropriate sexual comments. Wallace - who has also fronted Celebrity Masterchef, Masterchef: The Professionals and Saturday Kitchen - came out fighting yesterday after it emerged he had been axed. In a lengthy online statement he insisted he had been cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. On Instagram, where he has 220,000 followers, Wallace said: 'After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged. 'The most damaging claims were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.' Gregg Wallace offers advice to fans for £200 But hours after Wallace's online post, BBC News revealed the new claims against him during a probe by independent law firm Lewis Silkin. It was hired by MasterChef production company Banijay to conduct a thorough investigation. The BBC said last night it had not seen the Banijay report. But its story said the corporation had been contacted by people across a range of shows and settings. Most allegations were said to centre on inappropriate sexual comments, though 11 women are said to have accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour. That behaviour is said to include groping and touching. The allegations raise fresh questions for the Beeb and Banijay over their oversight of Wallace's alleged behaviour and their duty of care to staff. One woman - called Alice by the BBC - claims Wallace took his trousers down in front of her in a dressing room. 5 The presenter has been accused of 'predatory' behaviour Credit: Getty She accused TV veteran Wallace of 'disgusting and predatory' behaviour. Another, using the name Sophie, says she was left feeling 'absolutely horrified' and 'quite sick' when he allegedly groped her. Others who contacted the corporation with fresh claims about the star include a participant on Saturday Kitchen, which Wallace hosted in 2002-2003. The morning cooking show was, at that time, produced in-house by the BBC. During a dinner ahead of filming in 2002, 'Sophie' claimed Wallace put his hand under the table and onto her groin, saying: 'Do you like that?' Another woman is a university student who says she met Wallace in a nightclub with friends in 2013. She claims that - after she asked to take a photo with him - he reached under her skirt and grabbed and groped her bottom. The BBC reported that another woman alleged that Wallace put his hand up her dress at an industry ball in 2014 and groped her. And a junior worker claims that - in 2012 - Wallace dropped his trousers in front of her. She alleges he was not wearing underwear. 5 One male cop said he was silenced when raising concerns about Wallace Credit: PA A string of men have also claimed they witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments, it was reported. A former male cop has also said he tried to raise concerns about Wallace's sexually inappropriate language to the BBC in 2023 but was stonewalled. And other recent claims include a 19-year-old MasterChef worker who says she tried to complain about Wallace's comments about her body in 2022. The BBC said many of the women were young freelancers who felt unable to complain about Wallace's behaviour at the time amid fears it would hamper their careers. But one - 'Alice' - said she voiced concerns to bosses but claims they were dismissed. She worked on MasterChef between 2011 and 2013 when she was in her 20s. At the time, the show was produced by Shine, a company now owned by Banijay. She alleged that Wallace once asked her into his dressing room, saying he needed help getting into a black-tie outfit. She claimed he pushed her down onto a sofa, pulled his trousers down and told her he wasn't wearing any underwear, the BBC said. She reported what had happened, she says, but was told by a senior production member: 'You're over 16, you're not being 'Jimmy Saviled'.' Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation? Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years. Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark - accusations he denies. The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated. Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the "women of a certain age" who he claimed were behind the allegations. The cooking show's production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged misconduct. Alice said she felt let down and left with the impression she should 'be grateful and get on with it' due to her lowly role. She has contributed to the Banijay inquiry, the BBC said. A woman - 'Anna' - claims Wallace pulled his trousers down in front of her as she worked on a photo shoot with him in 2012. The alleged incident occurred when they were alone together in a dressing room area - and she could see he was not wearing underwear. Wallace is said to have changed into the clothes she was holding from before she left. She also claimed Wallace made lewd comments and was 'touchy-feely'. Anna said she felt 'undermined' , unable to complain due to her junior position. She told the BBC she had spoken up after being angered by Wallace's Instagram video last year which saw him claim allegations had come from 'a handful of middle-class women of a certain age'. The Beeb reported her as saying: 'Is he saying it was OK to behave that way with younger women, like I was at the time?' Another MasterChef worker, Sophie, claims she was groped by the presenter at a wrap party at the end of the 2013 series. She described the incident - which she claims happened as she was talking to Wallace and then co-host John Torode - he was about as 'a full-handed squeeze'. She added: 'I turned around and it was Gregg.' There is no suggestion Mr Torode was aware of the incident. Again, the woman feared complaints would be ignored. Sophie has also contributed to the Banijay inquiry. 5 Wallace has hit back at his former employers at the BBC Credit: Getty Some new allegations happened away from television - one of them in the mid-to-late 2000s in Nottingham during a book tour. Publicist 'Esther' said Wallace pushed his way into her hotel room, took off his clothes, and then asked her: 'Exactly what is it that you do?' She says she was shocked and made it clear she was not interested, telling him: 'That's not part of my job.' Esther claims he then says he climbed into her bed and fell asleep - prompting her to sleep at the edge of the bed, with her clothes on. She claims that - when he woke up - Wallace put his hand on her bottom and commented that she had a 'nice arse'. She ordered him to leave, and he did, it was reported. Esther did not complain at the time, but has contributed to the Banijay inquiry. Yesterday, Wallace said: 'I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established.' He also accused the BBC of 'peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories'. On Instagram, he said: 'I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.' The BBC News report also said some people had got in touch to insiated Walace's behaviour amounted to 'jokes' and 'banter'. But a cameraman, who worked on the BBC show Eat Well For Less in 2016, said he heard Wallace make inappropriate comments in front of the production team. This is alleged to have included asking a gay female director about her 'lesbian clothing'. He said: 'It's not banter, it's not how you should behave in a professional workplace,' the BBC reportded. A recent report into the BBC found that a small number of its stars and managers 'behave unacceptably' at work, and that bosses often fail to tackle them. In response, the broadcaster said it would introduce reforms, and its chairman Samir Shah said he would draw 'a line in the sand'. Banijay has said that it will not comment on the accusations until the report is published.
The Sun
40 minutes ago
- The Sun
Gregg Wallace hit by 50 allegations claiming star pulled down trousers and groped colleague as he's fired by BBC
GREGG Wallace has been hit by misconduct claims from 50 new people, it was sensationally revealed last night. They include allegations that the star - now sacked as MasterChef presenter - groped one show worker and pulled his trousers down in front of two others. 5 5 One of the two described it a 'predatory' encounter. She also claimed a boss dismissed her report of the alleged incident as she was over 16 and 'not being Jimmy Savile-d '. Another woman claimed Wallace groped her bottom while he spoke to ex co-host John Torode at the bar, during a wrap party in 2013. The bombshell claims emerged after a nine-month sexual misconduct investigation into the star, who denies any wrongdoing. And the claims come after Wallace, 60, stepped down as MasterChef presenter last November. He exited the show after 13 people accused him of making inappropriate sexual comments. Wallace - who has also fronted Celebrity Masterchef, Masterchef: The Professionals and Saturday Kitchen - came out fighting yesterday after it emerged he had been axed. In a lengthy online statement he insisted he had been cleared of 'the most serious and sensational accusations'. On Instagram, where he has 220,000 followers, Wallace said: 'After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged. 'The most damaging claims were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.' Gregg Wallace offers advice to fans for £200 But hours after Wallace's online post, BBC News revealed the new claims against him during a probe by independent law firm Lewis Silkin. It was hired by MasterChef production company Banijay to conduct a thorough investigation. The BBC said last night it had not seen the Banijay report. But its story said the corporation had been contacted by people across a range of shows and settings. Most allegations were said to centre on inappropriate sexual comments, though 11 women are said to have accused him of inappropriate sexual behaviour. That behaviour is said to include groping and touching. The allegations raise fresh questions for the Beeb and Banijay over their oversight of Wallace's alleged behaviour and their duty of care to staff. One woman - called Alice by the BBC - claims Wallace took his trousers down in front of her in a dressing room. She accused TV veteran Wallace of 'disgusting and predatory' behaviour. Another, using the name Sophie, says she was left feeling 'absolutely horrified' and 'quite sick' when he allegedly groped her. Others who contacted the corporation with fresh claims about the star include a participant on Saturday Kitchen, which Wallace hosted in 2002-2003. The morning cooking show was, at that time, produced in-house by the BBC. During a dinner ahead of filming in 2002, 'Sophie' claimed Wallace put his hand under the table and onto her groin, saying: 'Do you like that?' Another woman is a university student who says she met Wallace in a nightclub with friends in 2013. She claims that - after she asked to take a photo with him - he reached under her skirt and grabbed and groped her bottom. The BBC reported that another woman alleged that Wallace put his hand up her dress at an industry ball in 2014 and groped her. And a junior worker claims that - in 2012 - Wallace dropped his trousers in front of her. She alleges he was not wearing underwear. 5 A string of men have also claimed they witnessed Wallace making inappropriate sexual comments, it was reported. A former male cop has also said he tried to raise concerns about Wallace's sexually inappropriate language to the BBC in 2023 but was stonewalled. And other recent claims include a 19-year-old MasterChef worker who says she tried to complain about Wallace's comments about her body in 2022. The BBC said many of the women were young freelancers who felt unable to complain about Wallace's behaviour at the time amid fears it would hamper their careers. But one - 'Alice' - said she voiced concerns to bosses but claims they were dismissed. She worked on MasterChef between 2011 and 2013 when she was in her 20s. At the time, the show was produced by Shine, a company now owned by Banijay. She alleged that Wallace once asked her into his dressing room, saying he needed help getting into a black-tie outfit. She claimed he pushed her down onto a sofa, pulled his trousers down and told her he wasn't wearing any underwear, the BBC said. She reported what had happened, she says, but was told by a senior production member: 'You're over 16, you're not being ' Jimmy Saviled '.' Gregg Wallace - MasterChef scandal in Brief GREGG Wallace has stepped down from his MasterChef hosting role after a probe into alleged inappropriate behaviour. But what's the situation? Regular MasterChef host Gregg Wallace is currently the subject of a probe after an investigation was launched into his alleged misconduct over a number of years. Gregg has been accused of making sexual remarks to 13 colleagues including Beeb anchor Kirsty Wark - accusations he denies. The 60-year-old has now stepped away from the BBC show while historical misconduct allegations against him are investigated. Yet the former greengrocer spoke out on social media to blast the "women of a certain age" who he claimed were behind the allegations. The cooking show's production company, Banijay UK, has said law firm Lewis Silkin would lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged misconduct. Alice said she felt let down and left with the impression she should 'be grateful and get on with it' due to her lowly role. She has contributed to the Banijay inquiry, the BBC said. A woman - 'Anna' - claims Wallace pulled his trousers down in front of her as she worked on a photo shoot with him in 2012. The alleged incident occurred when they were alone together in a dressing room area - and she could see he was not wearing underwear. Wallace is said to have changed into the clothes she was holding from before she left. She also claimed Wallace made lewd comments and was 'touchy-feely'. Anna said she felt 'undermined' , unable to complain due to her junior position. She told the BBC she had spoken up after being angered by Wallace's Instagram video last year which saw him claim allegations had come from 'a handful of middle-class women of a certain age'. The Beeb reported her as saying: 'Is he saying it was OK to behave that way with younger women, like I was at the time?' Another MasterChef worker, Sophie, claims she was groped by the presenter at a wrap party at the end of the 2013 series. She described the incident - which she claims happened as she was talking to Wallace and then co-host John Torode - he was about as 'a full-handed squeeze'. She added: 'I turned around and it was Gregg.' There is no suggestion Mr Torode was aware of the incident. Again, the woman feared complaints would be ignored. Sophie has also contributed to the Banijay inquiry. Some new allegations happened away from television - one of them in the mid-to-late 2000s in Nottingham during a book tour. Publicist 'Esther' said Wallace pushed his way into her hotel room, took off his clothes, and then asked her: 'Exactly what is it that you do?' She says she was shocked and made it clear she was not interested, telling him: 'That's not part of my job.' Esther claims he then says he climbed into her bed and fell asleep - prompting her to sleep at the edge of the bed, with her clothes on. She claims that - when he woke up - Wallace put his hand on her bottom and commented that she had a 'nice arse'. She ordered him to leave, and he did, it was reported. Esther did not complain at the time, but has contributed to the Banijay inquiry. Yesterday, Wallace said: 'I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established.' He also accused the BBC of 'peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories'. On Instagram, he said: 'I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.' The BBC News report also said some people had got in touch to insiated Walace's behaviour amounted to 'jokes' and 'banter'. But a cameraman, who worked on the BBC show Eat Well For Less in 2016, said he heard Wallace make inappropriate comments in front of the production team. This is alleged to have included asking a gay female director about her 'lesbian clothing'. He said: 'It's not banter, it's not how you should behave in a professional workplace,' the BBC reportded. A recent report into the BBC found that a small number of its stars and managers 'behave unacceptably' at work, and that bosses often fail to tackle them. In response, the broadcaster said it would introduce reforms, and its chairman Samir Shah said he would draw 'a line in the sand'. Banijay has said that it will not comment on the accusations until the report is published.
