He appeared in Billy Elliot on the West End stage and even got to the final of Sky’s Got to Dance in 2013.
So, while it looks like Lewis Cope might have a definite advantage over his Strictly Come Dancing co-stars, dance partner Katya Jones has insisted it is actually a ‘hindrance.’
Amid a growing discourse over Cope’s eligibility to appear as a contestant on this year’s series, Katya has insisted that the actor’s previous dance training will actually make it harder for them to win.
‘I think everyone’s aware that Lewis can move and I’m looking forward to turning him into a ballroom dancer,’ she told the Radio Times.
‘But his musical theatre experience might be a hindrance. Unlearning habits is harder than blank-canvas learning.’
Downplaying his role as Michael in a 2008 production of Billy Elliot the Musical, Cope, 30, insisted it was ‘just tap dancing’ that he had to master.
Lewis Cope might have a definite advantage over his Strictly Come Dancing co-stars, dance partner Katya Jones has insisted it is actually a ‘hindrance.’ (both pictured)
Lewis appeared in Billy Elliot on the West End stage and even got to the final of Sky’s Got to Dance in 2013
The Emmerdale actor, 30, is currently the favourite to lift the Glitterball trophy, with bookies placing him at 3/1 (pictured with partner Katya Jones)
He said: ‘Well, it was 19 years ago, and it was just tap dancing in my part. I haven’t worn a pair of tap shoes in 17 years, so I’m not sure how that would go.
‘But if I manage to get to musicals week, I’d love to do something from Billy Elliot.’
While happy to discuss his past on the West End stage, Cope has not spoken about the fact he made it to the finals of Sky’s Got To Dance series in 2013.
The reality competition, which was hosted by Davina McCall and featured former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Diversity’s Ashley Banjo as judges, ran from 2009-2014.
The Emmerdale actor appeared as part of a hip-hop dance troupe named Ruff Diamond, which made it as far as the final, finishing as runner-up.
Videos of his impressive performance as part of the group have been circulating online, prompting many viewers to question whether it is fair that he is competing alongside those who have never danced.
Cope has been dancing since he was just 10 years old and attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Since his appearance on Got to Dance, Cope has turned away from musical theatre and has instead appeared on screen in Doctors, Vera and Hetty Feather. He has appeared on stage in Macbeth, Witness for the Prosecution and Richard III.
In 2022 he landed the role of Nicky Miligan in ITV’s long-running soap.
Cope was drafted into this series of the BBC dance show at the last minute after Game of Thrones actor Kristin Narin was forced to pull out on medical grounds.
‘The first call came on a Monday. By the Wednesday I’d agreed to do it, and on the Thursday I was on The One Show announcing it,’ he said.
Lewis appeared as Michael in a 2008 production of Billy Elliot the Musical, Cope, 30, insisted it was ‘just tap dancing’ that he had to master
Katya made her comments in the latest edition of the Radio Times
‘I don’t feel like I’ve had the time to actually let it settle in and realise, “Oh God, this is actually happening.” I’m just taking every day as it comes.’
He said of appearing on the show: ‘I haven’t had the fake tan yet – I might need to change my bedding, it’s all white.
‘But I think when you put the clothes on, it changes you. You start thinking, talking and walking differently. It brightens you up in every way.’
Strictly has become embroiled in rows over the eligibility of its contestants in the past, including in 2023 when it emerged that Angela Scanlon had trained with the O’Shea Irish Dance Company and performed professionally.
