BBC Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Jones and Lewis Cope accused of ‘cheating’ in new format
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were divided after spotting Katya Jones appearing to signal to Lewis Cope during the Instant Dance Challenge on Saturday night
Victoria Johns Showbiz Reporter
17:09, 30 Nov 2025
Katya and Lewis(Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Jones and Lewis Cope have faced cheating allegations from viewers following Saturday night’s ‘chaotic’ episode.
The duo found themselves at the centre of controversy during an Instant Dance Challenge ahead of tonight’s results show, where couples discovered which of their previous routines they would perform live.
With judges’ scores from the challenge being added to the evening’s overall totals, the stakes were high for the enthusiastic contestants, who were prohibited from discussing tactics before being given just 10 seconds to plan their performance.
In scenes that some audiences described as ‘carnage’, the pairs rushed into position after learning their assigned dance.
However, whilst Lewis positioned himself on the stairs ready for the jive, Katya seemed to signal with her arm and leg movements, which certain fans believe constituted a ‘secret signal’, reports the Mirror.
Despite being required to maintain distance to prevent communication, viewers noticed Katya glancing at Lewis whilst lifting her leg sideways – the exact move their routine concluded with.
One viewer posted on X: “No conferring till the 10 seconds yet Katya does this to indicate to Lewis to jump through her leg like on Blackpool night. I’m sorry but that is cheating in the instant dance plain and simple #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Another commented: “The one with no dance experience Balvinder was second in Instant dance off. Doesn’t that say it all. Katya and Lewis cheated as she signalled to him.”
However, others disagreed, as one replied: “LEWIS AND KATYA DID NOT CHEAT IN THE INSTANT DANCE CHALLENGE! ! It was never said that the couples couldn’t signal to each other on the stairs! ! You’re all just bitter that he’s the best dancer and it’s pathetic trying to bring him down like that. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
Meanwhile, another wrote: “People are saying they cheated because Katya signalled to Lewis on the stairs about the jump through her legs. But that wasn’t even part of the jive, just a bit of fun they did at the very end, and they NEVER said the couples couldn’t signal to each other anyway.”
Borrowed from US programme Dancing with the Stars, the challenge was created to demonstrate what the professionals encounter in the dance world.
Following the couples opening an envelope to discover the style they’d be performing – one they’d previously mastered earlier in the series – they had just moments to collect costumes and rush to the changing rooms.
Upon returning to the studio, the celebrities and their professional partners were positioned on different staircases.
They were then allocated merely 10 seconds to communicate before the music began.
