Actor Lewis Cope, known for his role on Emmerdale, is under scrutiny after viewers learned that he began dancing at age 10, competed in world dance finals, performed in Billy Elliot on the West End, and was part of a hip-hop group called Ruff Diamond. These revelations came during the launch show, leading many fans to argue the competition is no longer fair for “newbie” dancers.
The show presented Cope as a late addition—he stepped in to replace another celebrity who withdrew shortly before the series began. Some argue that being a last-minute replacement may seem spontaneous, but the history revealed suggests Cope isn’t new to dance. On Strictly, contestants are usually amateurs or have minimal dance training, depending on how the producers portray them. Cope himself has admitted performing in Billy Elliot as a child, and being part of dance competitions and TV shows earlier in his career.
Viewers took to social media immediately. Some said Cope should have been upfront about his past dance work. “Stop pretending he’s not trained,” wrote one user. Others suggested the show should clarify eligibility rules for contestants so everyone knows what counts as “prior experience.” Several posts expressed that it seemed likely Cope is being set up as a frontrunner because of what looks like a resume far ahead of many others.
Defenders argue that having some dance background should not disqualify someone, especially if they are not recognised widely as dancers. They say Cope’s past is part of his personal story, and Strictly has had contestants before with some performance or dance experience. What matters, they say, is how well everyone performs under pressure, live, with judges watching. Some fans say the allegations of rigging are overblown and that the show’s entertainment element includes welcoming stars who can dance reasonably well.
The show’s producers have not yet issued a detailed response as of this morning. Strictly Come Dancing typically has rules about what counts as “professional training,” but those have always been somewhat vague. With Cope’s revealed history, calls are growing for clearer guidelines and more transparency—so that all contestants and viewers understand where someone stands in terms of past training.