DANCING DUOS EYEING VICTORY AS STRICTLY SEMI-FINAL STARTS

SHE is without doubt the most resilient celebrity in this year's Strictly having found herself at the bottom of the pile most weeks.

- BY NIKKI ONAFUYE

Balvinder Sopal admits she and her pro partner Julian Caillo are pinching themselves at the prospect of being one good weekend away from the final.

The EastEnders actress, 47, said: “We are honestly still in disbelief. It feels completely surreal to be standing here talking about the semifinal - after the journey we've had.”

That journey has caught the attention of an unlikely fan in Hollywood A-lister Hugh Jackman, who has been requesting updates from a mutual mate.

Balvinder laughed: “I'm still trying to process it. He asked how we'd got on and my friend messaged me saying, He knows who you are.

“I'm working on getting that message sent to me, ideally on video!”

Balvinder and Julian's rollercoaster ride reached an emotional peak last weekend when she was brought to tears by the audience reaction to her performance.