Strictly Come Dancing star Lewis Cope has hit back over pro dancer accusations and explained how Strictly was the first time he has been inside a dance studio in 12 years
Former Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, who played Nicky Miligan in the soap, has hit back over pro dancer accusations after landing the first 10 of the series, as he says it is an ‘insult’ to the professional dancers on the show. The BBC has been accused of fixing allegations ever since Lewis’s past dance experience came to light.
Lewis has now opened up on his dancing background and said it is ‘strange’ to be labelled as a ‘professional dancer’ and explained how this is the first time he has been inside a dance studio in 12 years. Speaking exclusively to New Magazine, Lewis said: “It’s strange to hear that I’m some kind of ‘professional dancer’. It’s been so long since I danced, and I never trained professionally.”
READ MORE: Thomas Skinner says he’s abused by strangers as he shares bitter regret at StrictlyREAD MORE: Rare Boden sale slashes ‘perfect for chilly weather’ cardigan by mega 40% off
His latest performance saw him top the leaderboard with his Paso Doble alongside his partner Katya Jones. They managed to score the first 10 of the series from judge Motsi Mabuse.
The actor then went into detail about his previous experience, as he said: “I did Billy Elliot The Musical when I was 11, but I wasn’t good enough to play Billy Elliot, so I played Michael and just did some tap dance. After that, I joined a hip-hop dance crew where I did hip-hop with a group of six lads back in Hartlepool, we did amateur competitions. Then I went on to train to be an actor and I’ve only ever acted since.”
Lewis continued: “This is the first time I’ve been inside a dance studio for 12 years. And now that I’m working with people who are actually pro dancers like Katya, it feels like a bit of an insult to those guys. They’ve dedicated their lives to this and they’re incredible.”
His professional dance partner Katya Jones also chimed in and said: “All we can control is putting on a fabulous routine every weekend and for me to showcase Lewis. It’s like when the judges suggested we should have reined it in a bit on his first jive. Why hide that talent? To me, that would be criminal!”
It was Motsi Mabuse who awarded the perfect score, as the couple absolutely smashed their Paso Doble to The Plaza of Execution from The Mask of Zorro. Even Craig Revel Horwood couldn’t find anything bad to say as he called their routine “amazing”.
It follows after Ross King was the second celebrity voted off Strictly Come Dancing. The Lorraine and Good Morning Britain star, 63, and his professional partner Jowita Przystał went up against EastEnders legend Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon in the dance off.
The ITV legend was the second person to be voted off after Thomas Skinner, who danced with pro Amy Dowden, was voted off last week.
Strictly Come Dancing returns this Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
