The actor, known for playing the role of Nicky Miligan in the ITV soap, came as a last-minute addition to the competition show after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn’s withdrawal from the programme
Lewis Cope who has been named as a contestant in BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing 2025(Image: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing’s latest series will be seeing Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope waltzing onto the dancefloor.
The actor, known for playing the role of Nicky Miligan in the ITV soap, came as a last-minute addition to the competition show after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn’s withdrawal from the programme. The actor managed to join with sufficient time to participate in the launch show filming however, which took place on Wednesday, September 10, and has been training with his professional partner since.
The actor seemingly let slip who his partner was in a social media post. In footage shared on his Instagram stories and TikTok, the performer discussed the challenges of his inaugural rehearsal day whilst remaining in the practice studio.
During his commentary, his partner can be heard calling out from beyond the camera: “What do you think of your partner?” Lewis attempted to overlay his own voice but was unsuccessful in masking the opening word.
Despite receiving praise from supporters for his editing skills and even sharing a story saying: “Oops that was close nearly left her voice in lol”, viewers have begun theorising about his partner’s identity using that initial word as a clue. While the actor is getting ready for his debut on the dancefloor, perhaps not many viewers of Strictly will know about his life away from the screen.
Here’s what you need to know about Lewis Cope, including his big family and his Welsh connection. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
Lewis Cope’s big family
Strictly Come Dancing’s Lewis Cope says ‘nearly’ as he ‘gives away’ professional partner(Image: Lewis Cope Instagram)
The actor comes from a big family, as he revealed during an interview on ITV’s Lorraine in 2023. While discussing his character’s storyline on Emmerdale, the actor revealed how many siblings he had when Lorraine Kelly talked about the Emmerdale cast and crew before asking him about his family.
“Because everybody’s so friendly, and it is a family, a big family,” Lorraine said. “You are used to that. How many brothers and sisters have you got?” The actor then replied: “So, I’m one of 14.” And with that, the ITV host’s jaw dropped. “14? Good grief! What is Christmas like round at your house?”
To which the actor responded with: “Lovely, yeah. I love it.” Lorraine continued: “It must be bedlam! Absolute bedlam!”. While Cope pursued a career in acting, he explained that several of his siblings are boxers, with their careers ranging from amateur, professional and ex-professional.
Lewis Cope’s Welsh connection
Lewis Cope who played Nicky Miligan in Emmerdale will be taking on the dancefloor(Image: ITV)
The actor is originally from Hartlepool, but in fact did spend a few years here in Wales. As mentioned on Inter Talent’s website, who represents the actor, he trained at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff.
According to Fandom, he graduated in 2018 after studying a three-year acting course at the college. In 2022, he landed the role of Leonard Vole in the theatre adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution. Shortly afterwards, he joined the ITV soap Emmerdale where he played the character Nicky.
The character was first introduced to the soap opera as a nanny who interviews to look after Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) and Dawn Fletcher’s (Olivia Bromley) children at Home Farm. It was later revealed that Nicky was the son of Caleb Miligan (William Ash) and the grandson of Frank Tate (Norman Bowler). His last appearance on the show was in July of last year.