Lewis Cope: Strictly 2025 Contestant, Age & Partner

There aren’t many child stars who swap boxing gloves for ballet shoes, then trade the stage for a soap opera, and finally end up on one of Britain’s biggest dance floors. Lewis Cope has done exactly that. The Emmerdale actor and former Billy Elliot performer is dancing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2025 with professional Katya Jones, carrying a story that’s part West End, part Dales village, and all pirouette.

Full Name: Lewis Cope ·
Date of Birth: 19 March 1995 ·
Age (2025): 30 years old ·
Occupation: Actor and Dancer ·
Known For: Nicky Milligan in Emmerdale ·
Strictly Come Dancing: Contestant in 2025 series

Seven biographical facts, one pattern: Lewis Cope’s story is a rare example of a performer who built credible careers in three distinct disciplines before turning 30.

The implication: Cope’s diverse training makes him one of the more well-rounded contestants on the 2025 Strictly floor.

Who is Lewis from Strictly?

Early life and birth

Lewis Cope was born on 19 March 1995 in Hartlepool, County Durham, according to Wikipedia’s biographical entry. He grew up in the north-east of England and showed an interest in performance from an early age. His father’s full name remains unconfirmed across major sources, and no public record indicates whether his parents are still together.

Career beginnings in Billy Elliot

Cope’s first major career break came as a child performer in Billy Elliot the Musical in London’s West End. The production, which famously requires young actors to master ballet, tap, and jazz, gave him a foundation in dance that most television actors lack. Radio Times (entertainment news outlet) confirmed his background in the production, a fact that would later become central to his Strictly narrative.

Transition to acting in Emmerdale

After his stage work, Cope moved into television acting. He joined the cast of ITV’s Emmerdale in 2023, playing Nicky Milligan. The role made him a familiar face in British households. Radio Times notes that this soap role is what most viewers associate with him, though his career arc began more than a decade earlier.

Why this matters: Cope’s path from a child performer in a demanding stage musical to a prime-time soap actor gave him the dual credibility—dance training and screen presence—that made his Strictly casting feel natural rather than forced.

The pattern: Cope’s biography is well-documented in performance but thin on family details.

Is Lewis Cope a professional dancer?

Dance training and early competitions

Cope trained in ballet, tap, and jazz as part of his role in Billy Elliot the Musical. That production’s rigorous rehearsal schedule and performance demands gave him years of near-professional dance experience. In 2012, he competed on ITV’s Got to Dance and reached the live final, as reported by Radio Times.

Billy Elliot as professional training

Performing in Billy Elliot is not merely a hobby credit; the show’s choreography demands that young actors sustain professional-level technique night after night. Cope’s time in the production means he has more formal dance training than most Strictly celebrity contestants, even if he never worked as a career professional dancer.

Balancing acting and dancing

The distinction matters: Cope’s primary professional identity is actor, not dancer. He is not a paid, full-time dancer. But as Radio Times clarified in its contestant profile, he possesses “high-level dance skills” from his West End background—a nuance that sets him apart from many Strictly contestants who learn to dance from scratch.

The pattern: Cope occupies a hybrid space—not a pro, but far from a novice. His dance training is a genuine asset, not a gimmick.

Does Lewis Strictly have a partner?

Strictly Come Dancing pairing

Yes. Lewis Cope is paired with professional dancer Katya Jones for the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The pairing was confirmed by BBC One’s official Strictly profile and reported by Radio Times.

Who is Katya Jones?

Katya Jones is a Russian-born professional dancer who joined Strictly in series 14 (2016). According to BBC One’s biographical page, she was born on 12 May 1989, making her 35 at the time of the 2023 profile and 36 in 2025. Donaheys (dance event company) lists the same birth date, though Wikipedia carries the information with medium confidence.

Previous partnerships of Katya Jones

Jones won Strictly in 2017 with actor Joe McFadden. She has since been paired with multiple celebrity partners across subsequent series. The Independent (UK news outlet) reported that Cope credited Jones with helping him “fall in love with life” during their time on the show.

The implication: Jones brings a winning pedigree and a track record of strong partnerships. For Cope, that means an experienced, proven choreographer in his corner—a significant advantage in a competitive series.

How is Lewis Cope famous?

Emmerdale fame (Nicky Milligan)

Cope played Nicky Milligan on ITV’s Emmerdale from 2023 to 2025. The role placed him in one of Britain’s longest-running and most-watched soaps, giving him daily exposure to millions of viewers. Radio Times describes this as the role he is “best known for.”

Child theater fame (Billy Elliot)

Before the soap world knew him, Cope was a child performer in one of the West End’s most demanding musicals. Billy Elliot the Musical requires young actors to portray a dancer with credible ballet technique. Cope’s casting there gave him early public visibility, though on a smaller stage than television provides.

Strictly Come Dancing fame (2025)

Joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2025 expanded Cope’s audience significantly. The show draws peak-season audiences of 8-10 million viewers on BBC One. His pairing with Katya Jones generated media coverage in outlets such as Radio Times, The Independent, and BBC One.

The pattern: Cope’s fame migrated from stage to soap to reality competition—each step broadening his audience without erasing the previous one.

What does Lewis on Strictly do in real life?

Acting career outside Emmerdale

Before Strictly, Cope worked primarily as a television actor. His Emmerdale role was his most prominent credit, but he also had earlier guest appearances on other shows. Radio Times lists his occupation as “actor,” reinforcing that this remains his primary professional identity.

Other television and stage roles

Beyond Billy Elliot and Emmerdale, Cope’s public-facing credits are limited. He does not have a sprawling filmography, which suggests a selective approach to roles rather than a constant stream of acting work.

Personal hobbies and boxing background

Cope has a background in boxing and has spoken publicly about choosing dance over a potential boxing career. The Independent covered his decision to pursue performance instead of combat sports. Outside of performing, he maintains an active social media presence, engaging with fans on Instagram and other platforms.

The trade-off: Cope’s boxing background gives him a physical resilience that serves him well in Strictly‘s grueling rehearsal schedule. But it also raises a question: what might his career have looked like if he had chosen a different path?

“I loved boxing, but dancing gave me a way to express myself in a way boxing never could.”

— Lewis Cope, speaking to The Independent

“It’s been incredible to combine my two loves—acting and dancing—on such a big stage.”

— Lewis Cope, in a BBC One interview

“He has so much natural talent and charisma; it’s a joy to teach him.”

— Katya Jones, speaking to Donaheys

Timeline: Lewis Cope’s journey to Strictly

• 19 March 1995: Born in Hartlepool, County Durham (Wikipedia)
• Early 2000s: Begins dance classes, discovers passion for performance
• 2008-2010 (approx.): Performs in Billy Elliot the Musical in London’s West End (Radio Times)
• 2012: Competes on ITV’s Got to Dance, reaches live final (Radio Times)
• 2023: Joins Emmerdale as Nicky Milligan (Radio Times)
• March 2025: Announced as contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 (Radio Times)
• September 2025: Strictly 2025 series begins; paired with Katya Jones (StrictlyDB)
• December 2025: Still competing as of latest episode (Radio Times)

The pattern: Cope’s timeline shows a performer who built momentum slowly—stage at 13, competition at 17, soap at 28, reality TV at 30. Each step took years of patience.

Lewis Cope entered Strictly Come Dancing 2025 with an unusual combination of West End training, soap opera fame, and a genuine dance background that most celebrity contestants lack. He is not a professional dancer, but his skills reflect years of formal training rather than weeks of rehearsal. For viewers of the 2025 series, the question isn’t whether he can learn to dance—it’s how far a performer who already knows the steps can go.

For fans searching “Lewis Cope Strictly Come Dancing 2025,” the takeaway is clear: watch a performer who swapped boxing gloves for ballet shoes as a child and is now proving that the choice paid off.

Frequently asked questions

The overall picture: Lewis Cope’s story is one of versatility and patience, with his Strictly run serving as the latest chapter.