Strictly Come Dancing stars Lewis Cope and Katya Jones were spotted enjoying a relaxed day out in Blackpool, sharing laughs and classic British comfort food ahead of the show's highly anticipated ballroom special.
A Seaside Stroll and Chips
The actor, 30, and his professional dance partner, 36, braved the chilly British weather to explore the seaside hotspot. Their first port of call was a traditional fish and chips shop, where they were seen loading up on carbohydrates, essential fuel before their weekend performance.
Lewis cut a casual figure, layering a navy coat over a coordinated shirt and trousers. Katya, meanwhile, wrapped up warm in a long grey coat, which she accessorised with a black fur scarf and a pair of chunky lace-up boots.
Unbothered by 'Strictly Curse' Chatter
The pair appeared completely at ease in each other's company during their wander through the town. At one point, Lewis was seen wrapping his arm around Katya as she leaned on his shoulder, a display of their close partnership.
This cosy dynamic comes after Lewis recently addressed any potential concerns about the infamous 'Strictly curse' with his girlfriend, Rachel Maya Lopez. He revealed that Rachel, a Pilates instructor and dancer, is his 'biggest supporter' and that worries over his chemistry with Katya have 'never been a conversation' between them.
'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,' Lewis told The Sun. He also confirmed that Katya and Rachel have met, further solidifying the supportive environment.
From Billy Elliot to the Ballroom
The outing follows the duo's spectacular success earlier this month, where they scooped the first perfect score of the series, a flawless 40, for their couple's choice dance to a quickstep version of Radiohead's 'Creep'.
Lewis also recently hit back at claims that his previous dance experience gives him an unfair advantage. While he performed in Billy Elliot in London's West End as a child and spent eight years with the elite street dance crew Ruff Diamond, he branded the idea that he is a professionally trained dancer as 'bizarre'.
'I trained as an actor, I danced a bit when I was a teen, but haven't since,' he explained to Metro, adding that such claims are 'an insult to them [the professional dancers], really'.
Also spotted in Blackpool was social media star George Clarke, who went all-out with his attire, sporting an 'I heart Blackpool' T-shirt paired with a pink cowboy hat, fur glasses, and a green feathered scarf.
Lewis and Katya are now gearing up to compete in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom special this Saturday, hoping to impress the judges and the public once again.
