Lewis Cope Warned to “Watch His Back” on Strictly Come Dancing

The latest episode of Strictly Come Dancing, aired on October 4, 2023, featured a dramatic warning for contestant Lewis Cope from judge Craig Revel Horwood. During the second live show of the season, the competition heated up as the celebrity dancers showcased their skills, with Cope and his partner Katya Jones performing a Viennese Waltz to Teddy Swims’ track “Lose Control.”

Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcomed the audience back into the iconic ballroom, where the judging panel, consisting of Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, and Horwood, prepared to assess the contestants’ performances. Cope and Jones impressed the judges, receiving scores of seven from Horwood, Mabuse, and Du Beke, while Ballas awarded them a six, bringing their total to 27 points.

Ballas highlighted the need for more “refinement” in their routine, noting that it felt “too aggressive.” She stated, “I get your power, I love everything about it. I think you’re destined for greatness in this competition. But this, for me, being surrounded by it for years, I don’t see the crash bang wallop that everybody else sees.”

Following Cope’s routine, social media influencer George Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr performed a Paso Doble to Ruelle’s “Game of Survival.” Their performance garnered substantial acclaim, scoring two sevens from Horwood and Mabuse, along with two eights from Ballas and Du Beke, culminating in a combined total of 30 points.

Horwood provided feedback for Clarke’s performance, emphasizing the need for more emphasis on the Spanish lines. Notably, he cautioned Cope, the bookmakers’ favorite, by stating, “I thought you could have hyperextended some of the lines, just accentuating the Spanish line. It didn’t go far enough for me. But I have to agree with everyone – power, passion, and Lewis better watch his back, darling. Just saying.”

Ballas praised Clarke’s control throughout his dance, complimenting the intention behind each movement. “You were breathing beautifully. Everything had an intention; we knew exactly where you were going, and that captivates me,” she remarked.

By the conclusion of the evening’s performances, Clarke and Warr were positioned third on the leaderboard with a total of 54 points. Cope and Jones secured second place with 55 points, just shy of topping the standings, which were led by Amber Davies and her partner Nikita Kuzmin, who achieved a total of 56 points.

As the competition progresses, viewers can expect the return of the much-anticipated dance-off this weekend, featuring a new twist. This series will see the head judge position rotate weekly, with a different judge making the final decision in the event of a tie.

Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.