Overview

• Cope joined the series at short notice to replace Kristian Nairn, who withdrew for medical reasons, completing onboarding in roughly a day.
• He is partnered with Katya Jones and earned strong judge and viewer praise for a high‑energy week‑one jive to Get Ready by Wet Wet Wet.
• Cope said he will perform a Viennese waltz to Lose Control by Teddy Swims this weekend and noted the spins have been challenging.
• His background includes Billy Elliot in the West End, hip‑hop troupe Ruff Diamond’s Got to Dance 2013 runner‑up finish, and TV roles in Vera, Doctors and Hetty Feather.
• The former Emmerdale actor, nominated for a 2023 NTA Rising Star, hails from Hartlepool, comes from a large boxing family, appeared in a David Beckham fragrance advert, and is supported by long‑term partner Rachel Maya Lopez.