Contemporary Strictly repair row as Lewis Cope’s earlier dance coaching revealed

Strictly Come Dancing has sparked outrage earlier than the sequence has even begun, as followers rage over a Lewis Cope‘s secret professional dancer previous.

Emmerdale star Lewis was recently announced as a last-minute addition to the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

Nonetheless, it’s now been revealed that Lewis, 30, has been dancing because the age of 10 and even competed within the finals of Received To Dance on Sky One again in 2013.

Because of this, he’s joint favorite to win. However he isn’t successful on social media, with ‘repair’ complaints pouring in…

Strictly faces backlash over Lewis Cope

Showing with hip hop group Ruff Diamond, the then-teenager wowed the judges on Received To Dance.

Choose Ashley Banjo praised their expertise, saying: “You guys simply completely smashed your personal bar. You need to know that you’re good since you are up there with the most effective that has been on that stage.”

The group went on to symbolize the UK on the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, carried out on Youngsters in Want, and constructed a powerful following earlier than Lewis left in 2015 to pursue appearing. Nonetheless, Strictly is a Latin and ballroom present, and isn’t precisely identified for its hip hop strikes…

Nonetheless, the invention has sparked outrage on-line, as Lewis is now joint favorite to win the competitors with mannequin Ellie Goldstein. Each stars are sitting at odds of three/1.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes mentioned: “As soon as once more it’s all change within the Strictly betting, with Lewis Cope going straight in as joint favorite for this 12 months’s Glitterball Trophy.”

Followers react

In the meantime, social media lit up with considerations about equity. One person wrote beneath the BBC’s announcement, referring to Kelvin Fletcher, who changed an injured Jamie Laing: “Final time there was a last-minute substitute, he gained it!”

One other added: “Might occur once more. Substitute is a professional dancer with professional coaching instantly from Billy Elliot within the West Finish.”

A 3rd identified: “So #Hodor’s substitute in #Strictly is a professional dancer who has been in #BillyElliot.”

“Nicely he’s been in Billy Elliot so already a bonus,” one other fumed.

Nonetheless, somebody tried to defend Lewis by noting: “They don’t dance any ballroom in Billy Elliot.”

Lewis Cope joins Strictly 2025

Lewis is finest identified for enjoying Nicky Milligan in Emmerdale. He was beforehand nominated for Rising Star on the NTAs and has additionally appeared in Vera, Hetty Feather, and labored on an advert marketing campaign with David Beckham.

His Strictly spot got here after Kristian Nairn (aka Hodor from Sport of Thrones) pulled out due to medical reasons.

In a press release, Kristian mentioned, “With a heavy coronary heart, I’ve to step again from this season. I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anybody who was trying ahead to seeing me on the dance flooring.”

Lewis revealed on The One Present that he discovered concerning the present whereas strolling down Oxford Avenue with a good friend.

“I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance flooring,” he gushed. “I’ve at all times been a fan of the present and might’t wait to get began!”

Nonetheless, his dance expertise was introduced up by The One Present host Clara Amfo. She mentioned: “Now, you’ve gotten carried out a little bit little bit of dancing in your previous. We’ve obtained an image of you from a couple of years in the past… right here you’re in Billy Elliot!”

An image of the actor, who was aged 11 on the time, then appeared on display screen.

ED! has contacted the BBC for remark.

Learn extra: Emmerdale star Lewis Cope confirmed for Strictly line-up after Kristian Nairn quits

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