Former Billy Elliot star and Emmerdale regular joins Strictly Come Dancing line-up

Lewis Cope has been announced as the latest celebrity joining the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, which returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September.

Best known for playing Nicky Milligan in Emmerdale, Cope was at the centre of a major storyline that revealed his character’s ties to the Tate and Dingle families. His performance earned him a nomination for the Rising Star Award at the 2023 National Television Awards.

Alongside his soap work, Cope’s television credits include Vera, Miss Sidhu Investigates and Hetty Feather. He has also appeared in theatre, taking the lead role of Leonard Vole in Witness for the Prosecution, touring the UK with The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and making his stage debut at the age of 11 as Michael in Billy Elliot: The Musical. 

Speaking about joining the series, 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.”

His casting was revealed on The One Show on Thursday 21 August, following news that Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn will not be competing this year for medical reasons.

Cope joins the previously announced line-up of Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, La Voix, Chris Robshaw, Ellie Goldstein, Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison, Stefan Dennis, Ross King and Karen Carney.