Strictly star dealt devastating exit blow just hours before live show

One Strictly Come Dancing pair has been hit with another heartbreaking blow just hours before their fifth live performance. Last week, EastEnders favourite Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon found themselves in the dreaded dance-off against Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova. The couple also found themselves in the dance off against Ross King and Jowita Przystal the previous week.

Now, former professional dancer James Jordan has revealed that the couple has another difficult weekend show ahead, as he revealed which couple he believes is at risk of elimination. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk with Freebets.com - the home of the best betting sites - where he works as the entertainment betting expert, he revealed one reason why the pair are failing to win over the public at home.

He warned us: "I think Balvinder [Sopal] is in the danger zone this week even though there are worse contestants - not many - but there are. But it's also about popularity, what you're bringing to the show, the VTs, it's not just about the dancing.

She's not that strong a dancer, she is one of the weaker dancers in the show, but she should definitely be saved. Clearly, the other people are getting more public vote than her but that's just the way it is."

The dad-of-one went on to reveal that the actress is failing to win over the judges and that popularity is a huge factor on succeeding on the BBC reality show. Jordan explained: "It's not a proper competition, and people have to remember that because that's what makes Strictly so great.

"If it was a proper competition, we could tell you who's going to be in first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth place. But it's the fact that the underdog gets more public support than the person that's had professional training."

He did concede that those with previous dancing experience are likely to go much further in the competition based solely on the judges' scores. James revealed: "The people who've had professional training are going to get a lot further in the competition because even if they end up in the bottom two, they're going to be saved by the judges.

"And it's much harder to drop to the bottom two if you're in a high position on the leaderboard. So, for people like Lewis Cope, Amber Davies, and George Clark, they're some of the people who have had dance training, they will go far."

The TV presenter went on to back West End star Amber Davies, insisting that one star has had much more dance training than her, which has gone under the radar. James revealed: "I know a lot of people are particularly giving Amber a hard time, but we've got to remember, Lewis has probably had more training than her.

"So, is he getting the same hard time that she is? No, because women are jealous of other women. That's been the same in the history of the show that I've been involved in. For some reason, they seem to pick on the women over the men."

Speaking about how the couple tackles being in the bottom two, professional Julian shared their pre-dance routine that helps them move on from the disappointment of the dance-off.

He told RadioTimes.com: "We just have a little bit of a debrief. But we create a safe space, and we just say whatever we feel needs to be said."

Balvinder added: "Absolutely that. Let's just get it all out, come in and have a real honest conversation with your dance partner, and just get everything off your chest, and then go, 'Right, that's it. We'll put that to one side and now we just jump and dance'."