Lewis Cope Addresses Accusations of Dance Training Advantage

Lewis Cope has responded to accusations suggesting he possesses an unfair advantage in the popular television competition, Strictly Come Dancing. The former Emmerdale actor, who is partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones, expressed his confusion over claims regarding his background in dance. Critics pointed out that Cope had prior experience in dance as a child, notably appearing in the West End production of Billy Elliot at the age of 11.

Concerns were raised further when it was revealed that Cope had previously participated in the dance competition show Got To Dance, where he reached the final. In an interview with Metro, Cope addressed the controversy, stating, “I don’t really know where all that came from, to be honest. I trained as an actor, I danced a bit when I was a teen, but haven’t since.”

Cope clarified that although he had some dance training in his youth, his focus has primarily been on acting for many years. He emphasized that he does not pay much attention to the criticism, noting the talent displayed by his fellow contestants: “Everyone’s so strong, and anyone can pull out a brilliant performance at any point.”

He went on to express his disbelief at being labeled as a professionally-trained dancer, saying, “To call me professionally-trained or a professional dancer seems a bit bizarre, especially now that I’m working with these pros on the show. It’s kind of an insult to them, really, to suggest I’m on their level when they’ve dedicated their lives to becoming as brilliant as they are.”

Cope’s remarks came just before his performance on the latest episode of Strictly Come Dancing, where he achieved the highest score of the series thus far, even earning the coveted first score of 10. His journey on the show continues to captivate audiences, but the debate over his dance background remains a hot topic among fans.

As the competition progresses, it will be interesting to see how Cope and his fellow contestants navigate the challenges ahead while responding to the scrutiny that comes with being in the spotlight.