Lewis Cope joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Emmerdale star Lewis Cope joins the Strictly Come Dancing cast for the 2025 autumn run.

Lewis Cope joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Lewis Cope has joined the lineup for Strictly Come Dancing. The Emmerdale actor, known for playing Nicky Milligan, will compete as the show returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September. The announcement was made on The One Show on Thursday 21 August, alongside other celebrities confirming their participation for the autumn run.

Cope brings a mix of screen and stage experience to the ballroom. His credits include theatre roles in Witness for the Prosecution and Billy Elliot, as well as TV appearances in Vera and Hetty Feather. He joins a diverse group of contestants that BBC Studios is promoting as a broad cross section of audiences for the new series. Viewers can expect the familiar format to blend live performance with TV storytelling as the season unfolds on BBC One and iPlayer.

Casting a theatre trained actor signals a deliberate move to deepen Strictly s storytelling potential on the dance floor. Cope’s stage background could translate into performance that reads well on screen and on the home sofa. The mix of soap fans and theatre lovers may broaden the show’s reach beyond its usual demographics. This autumn lineup continues Strictly s habit of pairing familiar TV names with athletes and reality personalities to sustain energy across the season.

The broader strategy here appears to be about reinforcing cross platform appeal. By highlighting a strong backstory and stage credibility, the show keeps a thread of seriousness amid the fun of the ballroom. The challenge for producers will be balancing high level craft with the show s light hearted, social media friendly image as audiences expect both sparkle and substance.

Highlights

The dance floor awaits its next story.