Strictly’s Lewis Cope’s girlfriend sends heartfelt message after he’s ‘thrown under the bus’
The actor was heard saying ‘sorry’ to his dance partner Katya Jones after their latest performance on the BBC One show
Strictly’s Lewis Cope’s and his girlfriend, Rachel Lopez(Image: Lewis Cope Instagram)
Lewis Cope has been sent a heartfelt message of support by his girlfriend after he was left apologising following his latest Strictly Come Dancing performance.
The actor, best known for playing Nicky Milligan in ITV’s Emmerdale, was heard saying ‘sorry’ to his dance partner Katya Jones after their performance during the quarter-final of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 6).
While the competition was fierce, it was Musicals Week in the ballroom, meaning the five remaining couples were giving their performances their all while trying to have some fun before the series comes to its grand end on December 20.
As for Lewis, he and Katya received a mixed reception from the judges for his and Katya’s salsa to Dance At The Gym from West Side Story, for which they landed 35 points and were left joint second on the leaderboard alongside EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and Australian dancer Julian Caillon and internet star George Clarke and US partner Alexis Warr.
Following the performance, Lewis was faintly heard apologising to Katya, before they faced the judges’ comments. While Shirley Ballas told Lewis “it wasn’t your best dance, for me, by far” and Craig Revel Horwood agreed and said: “We have seen you dance better.” But in contrast Anton Du Beke said had an “incredible physicality” and added: “All in all… I rather liked it.”
Lewis during his quarter-final performance(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
Once they joined Claudia Winkleman in the ‘Clauditorium’, Lewis quipped that he had loved the dance until he heard some of the judges’ comments. But when Katya was asked about her ‘motto’, the pro dancer shared: “It’s my motto for life – more is more.
“I’ve just been looking for a partner who can match me and finally I’ve found one. All my life I’ve been told, ‘less Katya, less’. Never! More is more!” Lewis grinned before they declared in unison: “More is more!”
While Lewis still got a respectable 8 and string of 9s from the judges, some rushed to show a seemingly disappointed Lewis their support, including his girlfriend, Rachel Lopez, who commented on a clip of his latest performance: “I am so beyond proud of you. Your strength is like nothing I have ever see. So beautiful inside and out.”
It came as some felt Lewis had been let down my the theme. dmno7 said: “That song was HORRIBLE for a salsa….” @AilMc1212 commented: “Lewis and Katya were done dirty by the producers – terrible song choice for a salsa for an overdone musical #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.”
@_erinz_ wrote: “Honestly I love West Side Story but that was a dreadful song for a salsa. It wasn’t Lewis’ best but suchhhh an epic production #Strictly.” @jujugaboo posted: “Lewis song choice made it a very strange salsa. Bit disappointing. #Strictly.” @slinehan1 added: “The music is TOTALLY wrong for a salsa. Lewis has been thrown under the bus massively here #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
