Lewis Cope is a British actor and dancer who rose to prominence playing Nicky Milligan in the ITV soap Emmerdale and later competed on Strictly Come Dancing. Born and raised in Hartlepool, County Durham, he built a career that spans stage musicals, television dramas, and reality competition shows, making him one of the more versatile performers to emerge from the UK soap circuit in recent years.
His journey began not in front of a camera but on a West End stage, and it now includes a nomination for a National Television Award, a role in a Graham Norton adaptation, and a highly publicised stint on the BBC’s flagship Saturday night entertainment show. Below is a detailed look at who Lewis Cope is, what he has achieved, and what remains known about his life outside the spotlight.
Who is Lewis Cope?
Lewis Cope is an English actor and dancer, best recognised for his portrayal of Nicky Milligan on Emmerdale and for being partnered with Katya Jones on Strictly Come Dancing. According to his official BBC Strictly profile, he is one of 14 children and grew up in Hartlepool. His early exposure to performance came through dance, and he later trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Actor & Dancer
Nicky Milligan in ‘Emmerdale’
Strictly Come Dancing Contestant
- Lewis Cope’s career exemplifies a stage-to-screen transition, moving from a lead role in Billy Elliot the Musical to a major soap opera.
- His casting on Strictly Come Dancing provided a significant mainstream platform, introducing him to a wider audience beyond soap fans.
- His role in Forever Home and Emmerdale demonstrates versatility across soap opera and high-end drama.
Snapshot Facts
| Hartlepool, County Durham, England |
| Debut Stage Role |
| Strictly Come Dancing Contestant |
What is Lewis Cope’s Age and Height?
Lewis Cope was born on 19 March 1995, which makes him 31 years old as of 2026, according to biographical sources including Wikipedia and celebrity biography databases. His birthplace is Hartlepool, County Durham, and he is English by nationality.
Growing up in a large family in Hartlepool, Cope was one of 14 children. His early life was shaped by performance: he made his stage debut as a child in the West End production of Billy Elliot: The Musical and later trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This combination of practical experience and formal training gave him a strong foundation for his subsequent television work.
Cope’s training at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama gave him formal acting credentials alongside his dance background, a combination that made him a notable crossover contestant for Strictly Come Dancing, according to his BBC profile.
His height is not officially confirmed in any of the authoritative sources examined. What is clear from his dance and stage career is that he possesses the physical discipline expected of a professional performer, though precise figures remain a matter of speculation among fans.
What Did Lewis Cope Star In?
Cope’s acting credits span stage, television, and film. His most recognised role is Nicky Milligan in the ITV soap Emmerdale, which he played from December 2022 to July 2024, according to the Emmerdale Wiki and the BBC. The BBC describes the role as the one that made him a fan favourite. He was nominated for Rising Star at the 2023 National Television Awards for this performance.
Playing Nicky Milligan brought Cope into the homes of millions of British soap viewers. His performance earned him a Rising Star nomination at the 2023 National Television Awards, a significant recognition for a relatively new soap actor. The nomination was widely reported across entertainment media, including TV Guide, which covered the awards season extensively.
Before and alongside Emmerdale, Cope appeared in Vera, Hetty Feather, and Doctors, according to IMDb and television databases. These guest roles demonstrate a steady television career beyond the soap world, building a portfolio of diverse characters across different genres.
Cope was also cast in the Channel 5 drama Forever Home, adapted from the novel by Graham Norton. His official agency profile at InterTalent Group confirms the project, marking a move into high-end drama adaptations and signalling his ambition beyond the soap genre.
Cope’s early stage work in Billy Elliot: The Musical gave him a foundation in dance that later distinguished him as a Strictly contestant. His appearance on Got to Dance in 2013, where he reached the final with his dance group Ruff Diamond, further demonstrated his performance range before he ever set foot on a soap set.
Who is Lewis Cope’s Partner?
As of this writing, Lewis Cope’s relationship status is not publicly confirmed through official channels. Media speculation has linked him to Rachel Lopez, but these reports remain unverified.
However, Cope himself has not made a public statement about his personal life, and no official confirmation exists from his representatives. This privacy is notable given his television exposure, but it is consistent with his approach to keeping personal matters separate from his professional identity.
He is not known to be married, and no public records indicate a spouse. His relationship status, therefore, remains a private matter that he has chosen not to discuss in public forums.
Cope keeps his private life largely out of the public domain. While media outlets have reported on a relationship with Rachel Lopez, these details have not been confirmed by the actor or his official representation. This pattern of privacy is not unusual among performers who prefer to maintain clear boundaries between their work and personal lives.
When is Lewis Cope on Strictly Come Dancing?
Lewis Cope was announced as a contestant for the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing. According to the BBC, he was partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones. This pairing generated considerable interest given Cope’s dance background, which made him an early favourite among bookmakers.
Specific air dates for his appearances on the show are subject to the standard Strictly broadcast schedule. For the most current information on episodes and results, checking official BBC Strictly sources is recommended, as they provide the most accurate and up-to-date programming information.
Timeline of Lewis Cope’s Career
- 1995: Born in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.
- Early 2010s: Began his career as a child actor in the West End production of Billy Elliot: The Musical.
- 2013: Appeared on Got to Dance, reaching the final with dance group Ruff Diamond.
- 2022–2023: Cast as Nicky Milligan in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
- 2023: Nominated for Rising Star at the National Television Awards for his Emmerdale performance.
- 2024: Announced as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Katya Jones.
What Is Known and What Remains Unconfirmed
Some aspects of Lewis Cope’s life and career are well documented, while others remain uncertain or have not been officially confirmed.
| Confirmed Facts | Unconfirmed Details |
|---|---|
| Born 19 March 1995 in Hartlepool, County Durham. | Details about his partner are not publicly confirmed by the actor. |
| Played Nicky Milligan in ITV’s Emmerdale from 2022 to 2024. | Specific air dates for Strictly appearances are subject to scheduling. |
| Partnered with Katya Jones on Strictly Come Dancing 2024. | Future project timelines beyond Forever Home are not yet public. |
What Does Lewis Cope’s Career Tell Us About UK Entertainment?
Cope’s trajectory reflects several broader patterns in the British entertainment industry. The transition from stage to screen remains a well-worn path for many UK actors, and his move from Billy Elliot to Emmerdale is a classic example. This route allows performers to develop their craft in live theatre before navigating the fast-paced environment of television production.
His participation in Strictly Come Dancing also illustrates how a mainstream reality show can dramatically boost an actor’s visibility. For Cope, the show leveraged his existing dance background while introducing him to a primetime audience beyond soap viewers. The casting in Forever Home, adapted from a Graham Norton novel, further signals his move into higher-profile drama projects.
For context on other performers who have navigated similar career paths, profiles such as Layton Williams – Age, Olivier Award, Partner & Net Worth 2025 and Scarlette Douglas – Career, Family, and Relationship Status offer useful comparisons within the UK entertainment landscape. These artists similarly transitioned between performance disciplines and found broad audiences through reality television.
Sources and Further Reading
The most authoritative sources for Lewis Cope’s career and biography include the BBC’s official Strictly Come Dancing profile, Wikipedia, IMDb for filmography, and the InterTalent Group agency page for professional announcements.
For personal details, media outlets such as TV Guide and The Sun have published profiles, though these contain information that has not been independently confirmed by the actor. His appearance on Got to Dance is documented through archived entertainment coverage and reality television databases.
What Is the Overview of Lewis Cope’s Journey?
Lewis Cope has built a career that moves fluidly between stage, soap, and primetime entertainment. From his early days in Billy Elliot on the West End to his fan-favourite role in Emmerdale and his ballroom debut on Strictly Come Dancing, he has demonstrated range and adaptability. His upcoming role in Forever Home suggests a continued move into prestige drama. While some details of his personal life remain private, his professional trajectory is clearly one of steady ascent across multiple genres of British television.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Lewis Cope do before Emmerdale?
Before his role in Emmerdale, he performed in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical and reached the final of Got to Dance with his group Ruff Diamond in 2013.
Where is Lewis Cope from?
He is from Hartlepool, County Durham, England.
How many siblings does Lewis Cope have?
According to his BBC Strictly profile, he is one of 14 children, meaning he grew up with 13 siblings.
What dance competition did Lewis Cope appear in?
He appeared on Got to Dance in 2013, reaching the final with his dance group Ruff Diamond.
What award nomination did Lewis Cope receive?
He was nominated for Rising Star at the 2023 National Television Awards for his performance as Nicky Milligan in Emmerdale.
Where did Lewis Cope train?
He trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, which provided his formal acting education.
Amelia Foster is Film & Television Editor at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering film, television, streaming releases, reality TV, cast updates, trailers and UK screen-industry developments.