Strictly Come Dancing contestant Lewis Cope has been showered with support from his girlfriend after viewers claimed he was 'thrown under the bus' during the show's Musicals Week. The actor, partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones, found himself apologising after their quarter-final performance on Saturday night.
Judges' Mixed Reviews for Musicals Week Salsa
The couple took to the floor with a salsa set to 'Dance At The Gym' from the classic musical West Side Story. Despite their energetic efforts, the routine scored 35 out of 40, with head judge Shirley Ballas stating it was "not your best dance, for me, by far".
Craig Revel Horwood concurred, noting "we have seen you dance better". However, Anton Du Beke offered a more positive perspective, praising Lewis's "incredible physicality" and concluding that he "rather liked it".
Fan Fury Over 'Dreadful' Song Choice
Following the broadcast, a significant number of fans took to social media to defend Lewis, arguing the music selection was entirely unsuitable for a salsa. Many felt this put the celebrity at an unfair disadvantage.
Key complaints from viewers included:
- One person declared the song "HORRIBLE for a salsa".
- Another accused producers of doing the pair "dirty" with an "overdone musical" and terrible choice.
- A third stated it was a "dreadful song for a salsa", making the routine feel strange.
- One viewer summarised the sentiment, writing: "The music is TOTALLY wrong for a salsa. Lewis has been thrown under the bus massively here."
Sweet Support from the Sidelines
Amid the critique, Lewis received heartfelt public praise from his girlfriend, Rachel Lopez. Commenting on a clip of the dance, she wrote: "I am so beyond proud of you. Your strength is like nothing I have ever see. So beautiful inside and out."
This support comes after a series where Lewis has consistently impressed the judges, often finding himself near the top of the leaderboard. The incident occurred during the crucial quarter-final stage, with just two more weeks of live shows remaining before the grand final on Saturday 20 December 2025.
Meanwhile, his professional partner Katya Jones revealed her life motto during the post-dance chat with Claudia Winkleman, declaring "more is more"—a philosophy Lewis enthusiastically echoed.
