Strictly Come Dancing’s Lewis Cope and his dance partner Katya Jones looked close as they spent a day together in Blackpool before the show’s ballroom-themed episode.
The 30-year-old actor and his 36-year-old dance partner seemed happy and relaxed while enjoying a meal of fish and chips.
Lewis recently spent time with his girlfriend, Rachel Maya Lopez, and was seen out in the cold British weather. He dressed casually in a navy coat, paired with a matching shirt and trousers.
Katya finished getting dressed, putting on a long grey coat, a black fur scarf, and heavy, lace-up boots.
The couple strolled through the popular beach area, where Lewis was seen with his arm around Katya, who was resting her head on his shoulder.
The two friends shared a laugh while enjoying chips at the fish and chip shop’s counter.
Katya and Lewis were filming in Blackpool for a BBC show, taking in the sights before their competition on Saturday night.
George Clarke fully embraced the Blackpool spirit, sporting an ‘I heart Blackpool’ t-shirt alongside a pink cowboy hat and furry sunglasses.
The social media personality made a striking impression with their outfit, finishing the look with a vibrant green feathered scarf.
This follows Lewis sharing his girlfriend Rachel’s honest opinion of his Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya, after they received the show’s first perfect score earlier this month.
The Emmerdale actor received a perfect score of 40 alongside his professional dance partner, Katya, who has previously been linked to the ‘Strictly curse’ – a history of romantic connections forming between contestants and their partners.
But Lewis has now revealed that the curse, and Katya, are not a concern for him and Rachel.
Lewis confessed his girlfriend is accustomed to him sharing intimate moments with others, having kissed people in his work as an actor, both in movies and on stage.
He credited Pilates instructor and dancer Rachel as his greatest source of support, and he says concerns about the ‘Strictly curse’ have never been discussed between them.
He told The Sun that because he’s kissed many people for work over the years, his partner is actually used to him kissing other actors, and it’s never been an issue.
‘Katya and Rachel have all met, it’s never been a conversation between us.’
Oh my gosh, you guys, Rachel is just incredible! She’s been with me every step of the way, seriously my biggest cheerleader. It’s the sweetest thing – she even makes me packed lunches to take to rehearsals! She just takes such good care of me, it’s unreal.
Lewis wowed the judges and earned the first perfect score of the season – a 40 – for his couple’s dance, performed to a fast-paced remix of Radiohead’s “Creep.”
Lewis grew up in Hartlepool as one of 14 children. He moved to London at the young age of 10 to focus on a performing career, and often feels homesick, particularly missing his grandmother, Nanna Dot.
It comes after Lewis hit back at accusations he is a professionally trained dancer.
Lewis stepped in to join Strictly Come Dancing when Kristian Nairn, known for his role in Game of Thrones, had to pull out because of an injury.
The announcement of his casting caused controversy when it was revealed he’d been dancing since he was a child, even performing in ‘Billy Elliot’ in London’s West End, during an appearance on a BBC program.
He was also a member for eight years of Ruff Diamond, a highly skilled street dance crew known for finishing second on the Sky TV show, Got to Dance.
Lewis strongly denied accusations that he’s a professional, calling them strange and disrespectful to those who actually are.
He told Metro he wasn’t sure how the idea that he was a dancer started. He explained that while he trained as an actor and did some dancing as a teenager, he hasn’t danced in years.
He admitted it felt strange to be called a professional dancer, particularly while working alongside such talented performers on the show. He didn’t feel traditionally trained, and being labeled a ‘professional’ felt a little odd in that context.
Honestly, it feels disrespectful to even be compared to them. They’ve worked their entire lives to achieve the expertise they have.
Lewis shared that when he was 11 years old, he played a role in ‘Billy Elliot’ in London’s West End. He explained this experience was particularly meaningful because, unlike his brothers who were boxers, he was a dancer.
When he was only 18, he took to the stage with Ruff Diamond and performed for the judges on Got to Dance – Ashley Banjo, Kimberly Wyatt, and Aston Merrygold.
Ruff Diamond performed on Children in Need, shared the stage with the stars of EastEnders, and won the UK Hip Hop Championships on two separate occasions.
The group even represented the UK at the 2013 World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas.
At age 20, Lewis departed from Ruff Diamond in 2015 to pursue acting studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, a highly respected performing arts school.
In 2022, he began playing Nicky Miligan on Emmerdale. He left the show in July 2024 when his character moved away with his partner, Suni Sharma.
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2025-11-20 19:49