Lewis Cope, best known for playing Nicky Milligan in ITV's Emmerdale, has been announced as the latest celebrity joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning show will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.
The actor, who was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2023 National Television Awards, will swap the Dales for the dance floor. His other television credits include roles in Vera, Miss Sidhu Investigates, and Hetty Feather, as well as an advertising campaign with David Beckham.
On stage, Cope has played the lead role of Leonard Vole in Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution and toured the UK in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. He made his stage debut at age 11 in the West End production of Billy Elliot: The Musical.
Speaking about joining the show, Cope said: 'I'm so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I've always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!'
The news was revealed on The One Show on Thursday 21 August, following Kristian Nairn's departure from the competition. Cope will dance alongside previously announced celebrities including Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
