Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
3h ago

Bookies Make Lewis Cope Early Strictly Favourite Despite Questions Over Dance Past

The late replacement has hip‑hop plus musical theatre credits, with his pro saying he must unlearn habits for ballroom.

Image
Image

Overview

  • Former Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope joined the BBC show as a last‑minute replacement for Kristian Nairn.
  • Gambling.com has installed Cope as the 5/2 favourite ahead of the first live show on Saturday, 27 September at 6:55pm on BBC One.
  • Viewer criticism focuses on his prior experience, which includes Billy Elliot on the West End and a runner‑up finish on Got to Dance in 2013 with Ruff Diamond, who later represented Britain at the World Hip Hop Championships.
  • Professional partner Katya Jones says his musical theatre background may be a hindrance because unlearning ingrained habits is harder than starting from scratch.
  • Cope says hip‑hop is completely different to Ballroom and Latin and he is keen to learn, while Dani Dyer has withdrawn after fracturing her ankle in rehearsals.