The producers of Strictly Come Dancing revealed that Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope will take over from Kristian Nair on the roster, as Game of Thrones actor had to step down from the program.
The 30-year-old actor is primarily recognized for portraying the character Nicky Milligan, a recurring figure in ITV’s Emmerdale, who, in a captivating plot twist, was unveiled as a relative belonging to the show’s renowned Tate and Dingle clans.
Lewis was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2023 National Television Awards for the role.
Outside the Dales, Lewis has also appeared in various TV shows such as Vera, Mrs. Sidhu Investigates, and Hetty Feather. In addition, he previously collaborated with David Beckham for a marketing campaign.
On the stage, Lewis has taken on the main character of Leonard Vole in the Olivier-nominated play Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie, performed a tour of the UK in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and at the age of 11, made his theatrical debut as Michael in the popular West End production Billy Elliot: The Musical.
When Lewis became a part of Strictly Come Dancing, he expressed his enthusiasm by saying: “I can hardly contain my excitement about leaving the Dales behind and stepping onto the dance floor for this season’s Strictly Come Dancing!
‘I’ve always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!’
In a sudden turn of events, Lewis stepped in as a late replacement when Kristian had to unexpectedly drop out of the team. On a casual walk along Oxford Street in London with a friend, Lewis found out that he was chosen for the show, which he later shared during an interview on The One Show.
During Thursday’s airing of The One Show, it was disclosed that the news emerged, approximately hours following Kristian’s announcement about his departure from the latest season of Strictly Come Dancing due to health-related issues.
Officially, the 49-year-old actor and DJ announces his departure from this season’s “Strictly Come Dancing” because of unforeseen health issues, expressing deep regret.
I had been eagerly anticipating the trip, and it’s regretful that I must now dampen the excitement of those who were hoping to see me dance.
Dear Friends,
I just wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support during these challenging times. Rest assured, I’m making steady progress on the path to recovery, both physically and mentally. I can’t wait to rejoin you all again soon!
Until then, send a little love out into the world, because it returns multiplied.
Take care and be well,
Kristian
Kristian, renowned for portraying Hodor in Game of Thrones, stands at an impressive 6 feet 10 inches tall, expressing concerns about how his stature might affect his dancing experience.
He shared: ‘This situation presents a significant physical hurdle for me, yet I am eager to take it on! It’s an extraordinary and delightful chance to part with one of my feet (symbolically speaking)!’
Sarah James, an Executive Producer at BBC Studios, expressed that they have deeply enjoyed getting acquainted with Kristian in such a short period. She believes he has the potential to be an exceptional participant on Strictly Come Dancing. Unfortunately, they must bid farewell to him from this year’s series, and everyone sends their best wishes for a swift recovery.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, here’s what I had to share with all my amazing fans: “Hi everyone! Hope y’all are doing great. Today, I wanted to talk about something personal, and I appreciate your understanding. I’m stepping away for now, but don’t worry – this isn’t goodbye. I’ll be back when the timing is right. Until then, keep supporting each other and cherish our shared love.
Initially, I want to express my apologies if this message seems akin to a wedding speech. To those who recently joined my journey, greetings and I hope everything is going smoothly for you!
In this way, the original text maintains its informal tone while being more easily understood by the audience.
Let me get straight to the point. I’m not going to sugarcoat things or use formalities. You know that I generally aim for transparency and sincerity, and those who have followed me for some time would likely agree with this assessment.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be accepted into the Strictly Come Dancing family, as you might be aware. However, regrettably, I won’t be able to participate in this year’s competition. I thought it was important to explain the reasons behind my withdrawal.
At present, I find myself grappling with intense stress levels along with a touch of sorrow, if I may be honest. Despite previous circumstances where I’ve been resilient, the current situation has taken its toll on me more than usual. I’ve always prided myself on maintaining a strong mentality, but this time it’s different – it’s affected my physical health and caused an alarming spike in my vital signs. In the past, I believed I handled situations like these quite well, but now I wonder if perhaps I’ve underestimated the impact.
As a large individual who’s carried my size since birth, maintaining good health is not just a goal, but a lifestyle commitment I uphold diligently. Regular visits to my healthcare provider are non-negotiable, and I’m pleased to report that my latest checkup two weeks prior showed no cause for concern. With the green light from my doctor, I eagerly look forward to participating in this event.
Rest assured, I’m currently receiving treatment and my doctor doesn’t have any concerns about me. In about two or three weeks, I should be feeling almost completely back to my usual self.
Unfortunately, I can’t attend the show right now because of my current schedule with training, and I feel it wouldn’t be fair to you and the other contestants to miss it.
I must admit, I’m incredibly disappointed to miss out on this event as I was eagerly anticipating it. The cast members in the production, to be truthful, have shown great understanding and I’ve genuinely felt completely supported by them, which I am extremely thankful for.
Let’s find out how things unfold once I am organized. For the moment, I plan on relaxing. Soon, I will be back to work.
I was over the moon about this opportunity, not only for myself, but also for the fantastic folks from my hometown, Northern Ireland. It’s been a source of pride for me, in an unusual manner, to represent Northern Ireland and I wear that badge with honor. If I’ve disappointed you in any way, please accept my apologies. Rest assured, I will continue to give it my all.
In these unusual and chaotic times, let’s remember to prioritize self-care without sounding didactic. Don’t disregard your inner feelings. This situation is unprecedented for many, including myself, and it has been an unexpected challenge. I used to believe I was immune to such situations, but here we are.
To my fellow competitors, even though our interaction was short, I genuinely appreciated getting to know each one of you. You’re an impressive group of individuals, and I can’t wait to watch your progress and see how well you all perform.
I can’t predict what lies ahead, but I’m very much alive and continuing to produce in my unique, unstructured manner, striving to improve every day. Don’t fret, everyone – I’ve got this under control. I genuinely care for each one of you, and I really do. Thank you for being a part of my journey. Your constant support means the world to me, not just for myself but also for the newcomers. I truly value it. Lastly, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. Your support has been incredible.
On Saturday nights, Strictly Come Dancing used to be the standout television show, captivating millions of viewers as they watched renowned personalities dance elegantly in splendid outfits, aiming to win the coveted glitter ball trophy.
In light of the approaching new seasons of the show, betting agencies have set odds as low as 8-1 that this series might be its last, due to numerous scandals, a mediocre cast mainly consisting of C-list celebrities, and fewer women than men participating – all for valid reasons.
The popular BBC series has seemingly lost its luster following allegations of inappropriate conduct against previous contestant Wynne Evans, aged 53. After an offensive sexual comment made during a press event, he was compelled to apologize, resulting in his departure from the Strictly tour.
In 2023, Amanda Abbington, a 51-year-old actress, expressed discontent about professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, who is 34 years old, being overly harsh, rude, and unkind during their rehearsals. According to her, these behaviors led to her leaving the season prematurely.
In the same year, ex-Love Island participant Zara McDermott, aged 28, found herself deeply upset due to an encounter with Graziano Di Prima, 31, in a training room. This upset was caused when Di Prima confessed to kicking a documentary maker, leading to his dismissal from the show.
It seems that a higher number of male celebrities are participating, as only six females have signed up this season compared to nine males. The selection criteria for participants seems to have been relaxed this year.
This year’s lineup features several celebrities who have previously appeared on reality shows. Notable names include Dani Dyer, the winner of Love Island, Vicky Pattison from Geordie Shore, Apprentice contender Tom Skinner, La Voix, a finalist from RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, a former Gladiator.
Previously, it was a rule that influencers and reality stars were prohibited from participating. However, now, individuals like Tom, a former contestant on The Apprentice who was dismissed by Lord Sugar in 2019, are considered well-known enough to join the competition. One Daily Mail reader commented: ‘Over half of them aren’t celebrities’.
Additionally, the subpar roster hasn’t escaped the notice of countless Strictly enthusiasts, who have taken to platform X to express their discontent. One user even went as far as saying: “The dregs have certainly been dug up.
One individual commented that the final lineup for Strictly is simply dismal, while another wrote that this season’s roster is arguably the worst ever and questioned whether the past two years have significantly tarnished its reputation. Could this be the start of the show’s decline?
‘Safe to say this is the worst Strictly line-up of all time,’ another user posted.
As a devoted admirer, I’d rephrase John Hughes’ statement like this: “I find the current celebrity lineup somewhat lackluster and uninspiring compared to past years. It appears that the show is still grappling with attracting more female contestants, perhaps due to the controversies surrounding some male professionals in the past.
‘Time for Strictly to be rested as a result series and have three or four specials per year?’
It seems like they might want to conduct research to confirm if the Strictly roster becomes less glamorous with each passing year, as it appears that way, doesn’t it?
The television program, Strictly, seems to have lost its former charm. It’s been beset by one controversy after another, making a full recovery seem nearly impossible now.
Initially, the bosses were quite selective about the lineup, focusing on specific individuals. However, currently, celebrities who have a long history of appearing on multiple shows, with some having even emerged victorious in “I’m A Celeb”, such as Vicky, are being brought into the team.
This year’s absence of women in the cast signifies a significant trend – many women are hesitant to participate because of the contentious issues that have arisen in previous years, and with minimal modifications to provide a secure environment during training sessions.
As a devoted lifestyle enthusiast, I must admit it’s disheartening to witness the transformation of a once beloved show that captivated audiences across all age groups. Regrettably, an inescapable shadow seems to have fallen over the production, leaving many with a feeling of foreboding. In fact, whispers from behind the scenes suggest that this might be the final chapter in the series’ storied history.
Following the controversy surrounding drug accusations against Strictly, two of its performers were reportedly found using cocaine. This topic became a hot discussion point among the cast members.
This month, the BBC initiated an investigation concerning allegations of drug use. Previously, the Sun on Sunday disclosed that a performer who has been part of the team for ten years was once offered cocaine by one of the show’s celebrities during a boisterous gathering.
For the second consecutive year, there has been a decrease in the number of female participants signing up for Strictly Come Dancing in 2025, as there were fewer females in the line-up the previous year in 2024.
After Amanda shared her insights from participating on the show, there were now just nine famous men and six female stars remaining.
Last year, during an interview on Channel 4 News in July, Amanda characterized the period following her stint on Strictly as harsh and merciless, due to the fact that she and her family were subjected to death threats by fans of her dance partner, Giovanni.
She said: ‘There were five or six people previous to me that had the same experience.
‘The situation was uncalled for, and as it escalated, I found myself becoming defensive. Given my past experiences with abusive situations, I recognized warning signs early on and consequently shut down. This reaction left me unable to perform my duties effectively because I felt under attack… It simply didn’t create a positive atmosphere.’
This paraphrase aims to keep the original message while using easier-to-understand language and natural phrasing, making it more conversational and accessible to a broader audience.
In simpler terms, back in 2016 when Laura Whitmore was paired with Giovanni, she expressed that she felt emotionally shattered and cried almost every day while being on the show because she stood by Amanda during her dispute with the Italian professional dancer the previous year.
After an investigation by the BBC, sixteen of Amanda’s accusations against Giovanni were examined, with six being substantiated and eleven being cleared. Since then, he has triumphantly won the Italian edition of the contest alongside his partner, Bianca Guaccero.
This year’s lineup features Balvinder Sopal, an actress from EastEnders, Lioness Karen Carney, Lorraine Showbiz correspondent Ross King, and influencer Ellie Goldstein. Notably, Ellie made history as the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue magazine.
As a lifestyle aficionado, let me share some exciting news! Next month, you’ll find Rugby legend Chris Robshaw, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, popular YouTuber George Clarke, renowned Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, and sports sensation Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink stepping onto the dance floor of Strictly Come Dancing. Get ready to witness these talents showcasing their rhythmic moves!
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2025-08-21 21:37