Balvinder Sopal has shared her thoughts about being in the Strictly Come Dancing bottom two twice in a row.
Fans of the show have fumed on social media that the actress, who has achieved respectable scores for her performances, hasn't deserved to be in the dance-off, but she narrowly made it though to week four when the judges were split over who to save.
Judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke were full of praise for Ms Sopal and dance partner Julian Callion after the pair's Paso Doble on Saturday night.
However, the two yet again found themselves having to return to the dancefloor in an effort to remain in the competition, just a week after their first experience of the dreaded dance-off.
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Callion reflected on their dance-off experiences
|BBC
After Ms Sopal and Mr Callion competed against rugby star Chris Robshaw and his dance partner Nadiya Bychkova in the dance-off, Ms Ballas and Mr Du Beke both opted to save the latter couple.
Ms Mabuse and Mr Revel Horwood, who had the deciding vote, believed the EastEnders actress had been the better dancer.
The result, as well as Ms Ballas and Mr Du Beke's votes, prompted fury from amongst Strictly fans, who soon flooded social media with complaints.
"As if Chris nearly got through, Balvinder is way better! Thank god Craig chose Balvinder! That was stressful! I like La Voix but it should have been her in the dance off because her dance was awful! #strictly," one penned on X.
Another theorised: "I think Anton only voted for Chris so #Shirley didn’t look like a b**** knowing that Motsi and Craig would keep Balvinder (because she was better) #Strictly."
"SHOUT OUT TO CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD!!!! For being truthful as well looking beyond a few lifts #Strictly but #EastEnders fans, WHERE YOU AT??? Balvinder is doing great performance wise but also needs and deserves our support," a third commented.
Anton Du Beke also voted to save Chris and Nadiya
|BBC
Another fumed: "Absolutely no words at Shirley and Anton saving Chris over Balvinder, thank God Craig had the casting vote (and some sanity) #Strictly."
"Sorry, how was Balvinder in the bottom 2 again??? We all know who should have been there (still enjoy watching you though La Voix). Good that the deciding judge is different each week. GLAD it was Craig this time or Bal would have gone home! #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing," another echoed.
"So grateful for Craig saving Balvinder #Strictly," one more added. (sic)
Appearing on ITV's Loose Women on Tuesday, the soap star was asked whether she struggled not to take the vote personally.
"I think so, particularly when it happens twice," Ms Sopal admitted.
She reflected: "The first time, fine. You know, you go, 'Ok, we'll go back out there.'
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"And actually, the first time we were in the dance-off, I felt relatively calm going back out.
"And I think I danced better the second time. I think [being in the dance-off a second time] just knocked the wind out of me."
Despite the brutal dance-off experiences, the actress shared how much she's loving being on the show.
Presenter Jane Moore probed the actress on which group of contestants she falls into, explaining: "I wanted to ask you, because not only have quite a few of our panelists done Strictly, but we also have a lot of guests on that have done Strictly, and they always fall into two camps.
"They either love it or they find it terrifying. Which camp are you in?"
"I love it," the Suki Panesar star replied promptly. "Yeah, in the loving camp. I'm loving every second of it. It is terrifying, but it's a lovely terrifying."
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Callion had to perform their Paso Doble once again in the dance-off on Sunday's show
|BBC
Ms Moore added: "You guys have found yourselves in the bottom two - unjustifiably, I might add - for the last two weeks.
"So I wanted to ask you, Otis [Mabuse], our resident former Strictly star, what do you suggest that they do to get themselves out the bottom?"
The professional dancer, who starred on the show from 2015 to 2021, shared: "Well, firstly, I don't think you deserved to be in the bottom two.
Chris Robshaw was eliminated from BBC Strictly over the weekend | BBC"I don't think you deserved it, you've been absolutely brilliant. So firstly, don't take it personally, because it's not a reflection on you.
"It's just what happens on the show. And be happy that you get that experience, because it is the full ride, and you embrace the moment for what it is, and you go out there, give your best every week."
Ms Mabuse went on: "You just have to be like, 'If I am in the dance off, I'm going to give you one more chance to see how brilliant this is,' and just enjoy the ride, because it's a crazy ride and it will come to an end.
"So you want to say every moment I had a good time."