Overview

• Sopal told BBC Radio Sheffield that Strictly producers first approached EastEnders executives, prompting a meeting with executive producer Ben Wadey.
• She said she initially feared her character Suki was being written out before Wadey raised Strictly and she began discussions with her agent.
• Sopal was unveiled with professional partner Julian Caillon during last month’s launch programme.
• Two days into rehearsals she felt something “pop” in her hip and glute, was assessed by the show’s medical team, and later confirmed she could continue training.
• On 27 September she and Caillon danced a samba to KC & The Sunshine Band’s Shake Your Booty and scored 17 points from the judges.