Katya Jones declares dance partner Lewis Cope’s West End past a ‘hindrance’ to their future on Strictly as fix row escalates

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Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE how amazing he is! He started out on the West End in *Billy Elliot* – I was so lucky to see him then! – and then, can you even imagine, he made it all the way to the final of *Sky’s Got to Dance* back in 2013! I was screaming! Seriously, a total star from the very beginning.

Despite appearing to have an edge on his fellow contestants on Strictly Come Dancing, Lewis Cope’s dance partner, Katya Jones, believes his experience is actually a disadvantage.

With increasing discussion about whether Cope should be allowed to compete this year, Katya argues that the actor’s dance background might actually *decrease* their chances of winning.

She told Radio Times that everyone knows Lewis is a good mover, and she’s excited to teach him ballroom dancing.

His background in musical theatre could actually be a disadvantage. It’s often more difficult to break old habits than to learn something completely new.

Thirty-year-old actor Cope modestly described his part as Michael in the 2008 production of Billy Elliot the Musical, saying all he really had to learn was tap dancing.

He explained that it had been 19 years since he last tap danced, and he hadn’t worn tap shoes in 17 years. He wasn’t confident he could still do it.

‘But if I manage to get to musicals week, I’d love to do something from Billy Elliot.’

Although Cope enjoys talking about his time performing in London’s West End, he’s never mentioned reaching the final round of the Sky’s Got To Dance competition in 2013.

The competition show, hosted by Davina McCall and judged by Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls and Ashley Banjo from Diversity, aired from 2009 to 2014.

The actor, known for his role in Emmerdale, was once part of a hip-hop dance group called Ruff Diamond. They reached the final of a competition but finished in second place.

Videos showcasing his incredible dancing with the group have gone viral, leading many people to wonder if it’s fair for him to compete against dancers with no prior experience.

Cope began dancing at the age of 10 and later trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

After gaining recognition on Got to Dance, Cope shifted his focus from musical theatre and began acting in television shows like Doctors, Vera, and Hetty Feather. He’s also returned to the stage, performing in productions of Macbeth, Witness for the Prosecution, and Richard III.

In 2022 he landed the role of Nicky Miligan in ITV’s long-running soap.

Cope unexpectedly joined the BBC dance show after Kristin Narin, known for her role in Game of Thrones, had to withdraw due to health issues.

He explained that he received the initial call on a Monday, and by Wednesday, he had already committed to the project. Then, just a day later, on Thursday, he publicly announced it on The One Show.

I haven’t really had a chance to process everything and fully grasp that this is real. I’m just focusing on getting through each day as it comes.

He joked about being on the show, saying he hadn’t gotten the spray tan yet and might need to switch out his white sheets just in case.

I believe what you wear really affects how you feel and act. Clothes can change your whole demeanor, making you feel more confident and cheerful.

Strictly Come Dancing has faced controversy before regarding whether its contestants had prior relevant experience. For example, in 2023, it was revealed that Angela Scanlon had professional training and performance experience with the O’Shea Irish Dance Company.

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2025-09-23 17:20