The Strictly Come Dancing stars were involved in a Instant Dance challenge on Saturday ahead of the eagerly awaited results show on BBC One tonight.
16:11, 30 Nov 2025Updated 16:11, 30 Nov 2025
Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Jones and Lewis Cope have been accused of cheating by some fans (Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Jones and Lewis Cope have been accused of cheating by some fans during Saturday Night’s ‘chaotic’ episode. The couples were involved in an Instant Dance Challenge ahead of the results show tonight in which they were told which of their previous dances they would perform live on air.
With the judges points following the dance adding to the overall scores on the night, there was a lot at stake for the excitable gang, who were banned from conferring before only having 10 seconds to discuss their routine.
In scenes, which some viewers branded ‘carnage’, the couples raced into position after being given their dance. However, while Lewis stood on the stairs ahead of the jive, Katya appeared to demonstrate a move with her arm and her leg, which some fans reckon was a ‘secret signal’.
READ MORE: Bradley Walsh drops biggest hint yet that he’s set to be new Strictly hostREAD MORE: I’m A Celebrity chaos as camp caught lying as strict show rules broken
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones are hoping to make it to the Strictly final(Image: BBC)
The pair had to stand apart to avoid speaking to each other, but viewers spotted Katya looking at at Lewis as she lifted her leg to the side – which is the moved the dance ended on.
One viewer wrote on X: “No conferring till the 10 seconds yet Katya does this to indicate to Lewis to jump through her leg like on Blackpool night. I’m sorry but that is cheating in the instant dance plain and simple #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Another said: “The one with no dance experience Balvinder was second in Instant dance off. Doesn’t that say it all. Katya and Lewis cheated as she signalled to him.”
However, others disagreed, as one replied: “LEWIS AND KATYA DID NOT CHEAT IN THE INSTANT DANCE CHALLENGE!! It was never said that the couples couldn’t signal to each other on the stairs!! You’re all just bitter that he’s the best dancer and it’s pathetic trying to bring him down like that. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Meanwhile, another wrote: “People are saying they cheated because Katya signalled to Lewis on the stairs about the jump through her legs. But that wasn’t even part of the jive, just a bit of fun they did at the very end, and they NEVER said the couples couldn’t signal to each other anyway.”
Taken from US show Dancing with the Stars, the challenge was designed to portray what the professionals face in the world of dance. After the couples had opened an envelope to reveal the style they’d be performing – one they’d learnt earlier in the series – they had mere seconds to grab outfits and head to the dressing rooms. Once back in the studio, the celebrities and their pro partners were made to wait on separate staircases. They were then given just 10 seconds to confer before the music started.
The Mirror has contacted the BBC for comment on this story.
* Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One tonight at 7.15pm”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.