The stars of Strictly Come Dancing have descended upon Blackpool as preparations intensify for the show's iconic ballroom special this weekend. Leading the charge were actor Lewis Cope and his professional partner Katya Jones, who were spotted leaving their hotel for rehearsals wrapped up against the chilly British weather.
Blackpool Rehearsals Kick Off
Lewis Cope, 30, and Katya Jones, 36 were the first to emerge from their accommodation, with Katya sporting a stylish long grey coat complemented by a black faux fur scarf and boots. The professional dancer beamed at waiting cameras as she headed towards her taxi, clearly in high spirits despite the freezing temperatures.
Meanwhile, Lewis opted for a more casual ensemble, layering a black jacket over a green hoodie with grey joggers. The pair were quickly followed by other Strictly contestants, including pregnant dancer Dianne Buswell, who appeared radiant as she left the hotel carrying a gift bag marked 'baby'.
Also joining the rehearsal procession were Vito Coppola, Neil Jones, and Carlos Gu, all looking focused ahead of the weekend's performance. Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon were spotted deep in conversation in the back of a cab, perhaps discussing their upcoming routine.
Seaside Bonding and Curse Concerns
The rehearsal sightings come just days after Lewis and Katya were photographed enjoying a casual day out in Blackpool, where they shared chips at a local fish and chip shop. The pair appeared completely at ease with each other, with Lewis wrapping his arm around Katya as she leaned on his shoulder during their seaside stroll.
This cosy display might have raised eyebrows among Strictly fans familiar with the show's infamous 'curse', but Lewis has been quick to dismiss any concerns. The Emmerdale actor recently revealed that his girlfriend, Rachel Maya Lopez, fully supports his partnership with Katya and even sends him to rehearsals with packed lunches.
"Rachel has supported me all the way, she is my biggest supporter," Lewis told The Sun. "Over the years I've had to kiss a lot of people on stage or onscreen, as an actor, so she's used to me kissing boys actually, but it hasn't been a problem."
The couple's strong connection appears to be paying off on the dance floor, having recently secured the first perfect score of the series for their couple's choice dance to a quick version of Radiohead's 'Creep'.
Addressing Dance Experience Controversy
Lewis has also found himself addressing claims about his dance background, with some viewers suggesting his previous experience gives him an unfair advantage. The actor trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and performed in Billy Elliot in London's West End at age 11.
He also spent eight years with elite street dance crew Ruff Diamond, who were runners-up on Sky TV's Got to Dance and represented the UK at the 2013 World Hip Hop Dance Championships in Las Vegas.
However, Lewis has branded these claims "bizarre" and insists it's an insult to the real professionals on the show. "I don't really know where all that came from, to be honest," he told Metro. "I trained as an actor, I danced a bit when I was a teen, but haven't since."
As the Blackpool special approaches, all eyes will be on Lewis and Katya to see if they can maintain their impressive form in the iconic ballroom that has hosted Strictly's most memorable moments.
