Lewis Cope has responded to claims about him being a professional dancer after he got the first 10 on this series of Strictly, saying such suggestions “insult” the show’s pros.

There have been fix claims since the actor’s previous dance background emerged. But Emmerdale star Lewis has now spoken candidly about his dancing history, describing it as “strange” to be branded a “professional dancer” and revealing this marks his first time in a dance studio for 12 years.

Speaking exclusively to New Magazine, Lewis commented: “It’s strange to hear that I’m some kind of ‘professional dancer’. It’s been so long since I danced, and I never trained professionally.”

Lewis’ recent performance on the BBC show placed him at the summit of the leaderboard with his Paso Doble alongside pro partner Katya Jones. The pair secured the series’ inaugural 10 from judge Motsi Mabuse.

Lewis Cope

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Lewis’ previous dance experience has got people talking(Image: PA)

 

Discussing his past experience, the actor shared that he was in Billy Elliot The Musical when he was 11, but said he “wasn’t good enough” to play Billy Elliot, so was cast as someone else “and just did some tap dance”.

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After that he joined a hip-hop dance crew in Hartlepool and they took part in amateur competitions.

Lewis Cope

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Lewis is paired with Katya Jones on the show(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

“Then I went on to train to be an actor and I’ve only ever acted since,” said Lewis.

He added: “And now that I’m working with people who are actually pro dancers like Katya, it feels like a bit of an insult to those guys. They’ve dedicated their lives to this and they’re incredible.”

Lewis Cope

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Lewis and Katya scored a perfect 10(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy)

Katya also weighed in, explaining that all they have control of it putting on a great routine on the BBC show every weekend.

She said: “It’s like when the judges suggested we should have reined it in a bit on his first jive. Why hide that talent? To me, that would be criminal!”

Motsi awarded Lewis and Katya the perfect score as the couple nailed their Paso Doble to The Plaza of Execution from The Mask of Zorro.