Lewis Cope is joining the cast of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this September.

Lewis is best known for his performance in ITV’s Emmerdale as series regular Nicky Milligan, who in an explosive storyline was revealed to be a member of the series’ iconic Tate and Dingle families.

Lewis was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2023 National Television Awards for the role. Away from the Dales, Lewis’ other television work includes roles in Vera, Miss Sidhu Investigates, and Hetty Feather and he previously worked with David Beckham on an advertising campaign. On stage, Lewis has played the lead role of Leonard Vole in the Olivier-nominated Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution, has toured the UK in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and, at the age of 11, he made his stage debut playing Michael in the West End smash Billy Elliot: The Musical.

On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Lewis Cope says: “I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!”

The news was revealed on The One Show on Thursday 21 August, following Kristian Nairn’s earlier announcement of his departure from this year’s competition. Lewis will dance on the show alongside previously announced celebrities: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, La Voix, Chris Robshaw, Ellie Goldstein, Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison, Stefan Dennis, Ross King and Karen Carney.

Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Entertainment production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and was commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producer is Sarah James, the Series Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Jo Wallace.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn. Add Strictly to your watchlist on BBC iPlayer now.

GK

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