Shirley Ballas, the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, delivered a critical assessment of EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal’s recent performance. While Sopal received warm audience support, Ballas emphasized the need for improvement in her footwork.
Shirley’s Tough Verdict on Balvinder’s Performance
During the judging segment, Shirley expressed her concerns about Sopal’s footwork. She stated, “The footwork, for me, was by no means very good.” Despite audience boos, she remained firm, indicating that encouragement alone would not help Sopal progress in the competition.
Constructive Feedback
- Critique of footwork
- Suggestions for improvement: specific moves and heel turns
- Importance of detail for stability in dance
Ballas noted, “I believe that Balvinder is going to go far, but she’s not going to go far if everything is mushy.” Her approach underscored the importance of refining dance techniques, especially with more competition ahead.
Balvinder’s Response
After receiving feedback, Balvinder acknowledged the need for improvement. She commented, “Absolutely. I do need to think about footwork and moving through my movements.” Balvinder and her partner Julian had aimed to capture the magic of classic dance duos like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Despite the critique, they earned a score of 26, signaling potential for growth in the upcoming phases of the competition. Balvinder has previously shared her perfectionist tendencies, asserting that self-scrutiny would precede external judgment.
Balvinder’s Reflections
The EastEnders actress explained, “So I need to try and understand this language that we’re going to be speaking now because it is like another language.” Her recognition of the challenges ahead reflects her commitment to improvement.
As the competition continues on BBC One and iPlayer, Balvinder’s journey will be closely watched. With Ballas’s tough verdict, it remains to be seen how she will address these challenges and enhance her performance on Strictly Come Dancing.
