Strictly Shake-Up: Lewis Cope'S Dance Past Unveiled!

The Surprise Addition to Strictly's Dance Floor

Lewis Cope, the former Emmerdale star, has waltzed onto the Strictly Come Dancing stage with a history that's got fans buzzing. Initially not part of the 2025 lineup, Lewis was drafted in last minute after Game of Thrones' Kristian Nairn had to step down due to health issues. The twist? Lewis isn't just any actor – he's got dance credentials up his sleeve!

In a whirlwind of events, Lewis joined the 15 other celebrities in the Strictly ballroom during the pre-recorded launch show on September 20. Paired with the talented Katya Jones, Lewis couldn't contain his excitement and took to Instagram, "Feeling like this is going to be the best chapter yet. @katyajones let's go @bbcstrictly."

“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," Lewis shared, eager to embrace the new challenge.

From Hip-Hop to Ballroom

Lewis's dance journey is far from ordinary. Before gracing the Strictly stage, he was known for his moves on Sky One's Got To Dance, where he and his crew, Ruff Diamond, snagged the runner-up spot in 2013. Fans have mixed feelings about his past, with some questioning whether it gives him an edge, while others argue that ballroom is a whole different ballgame.

The actor, who once played the lead in West End's Billy Elliot, is no stranger to dance, but he's quick to point out the contrasts. "It is completely different," he admitted about the transition from Hip-Hop to ballroom.

Fans Draw Parallels to Past Winners

As Lewis gears up for the competition, viewers are already drawing comparisons to past Strictly champions. Many see echoes of Kelvin Fletcher, another Emmerdale alum who dazzled his way to victory in 2019. "Seriously, what are they putting in the water in Emmerdale?" one fan joked, hinting at the potential for Lewis to follow in Kelvin's footsteps.

Despite the chatter, dance expert Dr. Kathryn Stamp weighed in on the annual "fix" claims. "You could look back at the history of Strictly and pick out a number of people who have had some sort of dance background and didn’t do very well, just as much as you can point out people who did do well... there’s just not a clear pattern," she explained.

Catch Lewis and the rest of the Strictly crew as they continue to spin and sway on BBC One and iPlayer this Saturday at 6.55pm.