Introduction
Strictly Come Dancing: Who is Lewis on Strictly and why is his past dance experience dividing viewers? By BBC Entertainment Correspondent Lewis Cope, the actor best known for his role as Nicky Milligan in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, has become one of the unexpected stars of the current series of Strictly Come Dancing. His last-minute inclusion in the line-up and subsequent strong performances have placed him among the bookmakers’ favourites, but his extensive professional background in dance has led to growing scrutiny and renewed debate among viewers regarding prior celebrity experience in the competition. The journey of the 30-year-old actor to the iconic BBC ballroom was highly unconventional, marked by a sudden phone call that changed the trajectory of his autumn. Mr Cope was brought in days before the launch show as an emergency replacement for Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn, who was forced to withdraw from the competition on medical grounds. The speed of his onboarding was rapid, creating immediate pressure on both the celebrity and his professional partner, Katya Jones. Speaking shortly after his arrival, Mr Cope admitted the whirlwind entry may have worked to his advantage, saying: "I think, if anything, it's probably helped me because I haven't really had time to think about it or anything so now the excitement has kind of just taken over. " Despite the short preparation window, the pairing quickly established itself as a powerful presence on the dance floor, frequently earning high scores from the judging panel. The 'Ringer' Debate and Dance History The initial praise, however, was soon accompanied by audience discussion about Mr Cope’s previous training.
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Before his career in soap opera and television dramas such as Vera and Doctors, the Hartlepool native was part of the prestigious Billy Elliot the Musical in the West End as a child, playing the role of Michael. Crucially, he later achieved runner-up status on the Sky One dance competition, Got to Dance, in 2013 as part of the hip-hop troupe Ruff Diamond. This history has led some sections of the viewing public and social media commentators to label him a ‘ringer’—a term used for celebrities with significant, undisclosed, or non-ballroom dance training. While the actor does not dispute his background, he has been keen to differentiate his former specialism from the demands of Latin and Ballroom. “It is completely different,” he explained to press outlets ahead of the first live show. “I used to be in a Hip-Hop dance group for a couple of years. But I mean, Hip-Hop and Ballroom and Latin are very different. ” This sentiment is often echoed by other contestants with modern or theatrical backgrounds, who highlight the unique technical demands, frame, and footwork required by the standard Strictly dances.
Judge Scrutiny and Professional Defence As the competition has progressed, the judges’ critiques have reflected a division between praising Mr Cope’s undeniable performance quality and demanding more technical refinement. Following his Viennese Waltz with Ms Jones, the couple scored well, but head judge Shirley Ballas noted that the performance was “too aggressive,” requesting more “refinement. ” The most pointed comment came from judge Craig Revel Horwood, who, while praising a rival contestant’s power, issued a striking caution to the former Emmerdale star. “Lewis better watch his back, darling,” Mr Horwood stated, suggesting that while his potential is high, the competition is fierce, and he must focus on technique. The scrutiny prompted a strong defence from his professional partner. Appearing on the spin-off show It Takes Two, Katya Jones responded directly to the feedback, insisting that the intricate choreography was technically sound despite the critiques. “I’d really have loved for the judges to vocalise their appreciation for what you did do, for all the steps you spent hours and hours learning,” she stated, adding emphatically, “They were there, every single Viennese Waltz step, including the freckle that he did on his own, all the pivots, all of it. ” Her comments underscored the dedication Lewis Cope has shown to mastering the complex new skills.
An Echo of Previous Success Despite the ongoing debate over his past training, Mr Cope’s profile bears a notable resemblance to that of other successful, late-entry contestants. Specifically, he has been widely compared to former Emmerdale co-star Kelvin Fletcher, who also joined the competition last-minute in 2019 and went on to lift the Glitterball Trophy. Analysts suggest this parallel explains why bookmakers have placed Mr Cope as one of the consistent frontrunners. The combination of established performance experience, evident natural ability, and the public appeal of a celebrity stepping up in an emergency situation often creates a compelling narrative for viewers. However, the path to the final remains challenging. The judges’ persistent technical notes indicate that the couple must strike a delicate balance between delivering the exciting, high-energy routines the public enjoys and satisfying the stringent demands of the ballroom experts. The coming weeks will determine whether Mr Cope can successfully translate his raw power into the finesse required to secure the ultimate prize. You can learn more about Lewis Cope’s background and initial thoughts on joining the series in this introductory video.
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