Strictly Come Dancing’s Lewis Cope has sparked a ‘fix row’ after his extensive dance background was revealed during the launch show on Saturday evening.

The Emmerdale actor, 30, is currently the favourite to lift the Glitterball trophy, with bookies placing him at 3/1. Hot on his heels is former Love Island star Dani Dyer, 29, at 4/1.

But while viewers eagerly awaited the celebrity-pro pairings, Lewis’s professional dance past came to light, sparking fury amongst fans.

It turns out his talents stretch far beyond the small screen, as the soap star is also a trained dancer.

During a pre-recorded segment on the BBC show, Lewis confessed he had been dancing since the age of 10 – even landing a role in Billy Elliot in London’s West End.

He shared: ‘When I was 11, I was in Billy Elliot in the West End, which was quite relevant to my life. So my brothers were boxing and I was dancing.’

Strictly Come Dancing's Lewis Cope has sparked a 'fix row' after his extensive dance background was revealed during the launch show on Saturday evening
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Strictly Come Dancing’s Lewis Cope has sparked a ‘fix row’ after his extensive dance background was revealed during the launch show on Saturday evening

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)
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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)

Several viewers then flocked to X, formerly Twitter, claiming he will likely win the show because of his past dance experience.

One wrote: ‘I need Lewis to stop pretending he’s not a trained dancer.; ‘Another Billy Elliot ex-pro dancer. tut tut’

‘Just give lewis the trophy now. He looks the part without seeing him move.’

‘Lewis is such a natural mover. His theatre experience will really help him as well. He’s definitely making that final I can feel it.’

‘How will Lewis Cope on the dancefloor? I reckon he’ll be just fine.’; ‘The way lewis is blatantly gonna win is p****ng me off.’; ‘So Lewis is a dancer.’

Lewis previously spent eight years with the elite street dance crew Ruff Diamond, who were runners-up on Sky TV’s Got to Dance.

At just 18, he performed in front of judges Ashley Banjo, Kimberly Wyatt and Aston Merrygold.

Ruff Diamond also appeared on Children in Need, danced alongside the EastEnders cast, and was crowned UK Hip Hop Champions twice.


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But while viewers eagerly awaited the celebrity-pro pairings, Lewis's professional dance past came to light, sparking fury amongst fans

But while viewers eagerly awaited the celebrity-pro pairings, Lewis’s professional dance past came to light, sparking fury amongst fans

It turns out his talents stretch far beyond the small screen, as the soap star confessed he had been dancing since the age of 10 - even landing a role in Billy Elliot in London's West End
+4
View gallery

It turns out his talents stretch far beyond the small screen, as the soap star confessed he had been dancing since the age of 10 – even landing a role in Billy Elliot in London’s West End

The group even represented the UK at the 2013 World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas.

Lewis left Ruff Diamond in 2015, aged 20, to study acting at the prestigious Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

He joined the cast of Emmerdale in 2022, playing Nicky Miligan, and bid farewell to the Dales in July 2024 when his character left the village with his boyfriend, Suni Sharma.

Daily Mail has contacted the BBC for comment..