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Strictly Come Dancing Star Lewis Cope Hits Back At 'Professional Dancer' Claims

Strictly Come Dancing Star Lewis Cope Hits Back At 'Professional Dancer' Claims

Lewis Cope and Katya Jones in the Strictly Come Dancing studio Strictly Come Dancing frontrunner Lewis Cope has hit back at the suggestion that he’s a “professional” dancer. Lewis was drafted in as a last-minute replacement for Game Of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn shortly before this year’s series of Strictly got underway. During the pre-recorded launch show, he quickly impressed viewers with his dance abilities, and as the weeks have gone on, he’s consistently among the highest scorers on the line-up. However, he’s also been at the centre of some debate due to his past dance experience, which included appearing in the lead role of Billy Elliott on the West End as a child actor, and taking part in the talent search Got To Dance when he was still a teenager . Speaking to Metro about claims that he is a professional dancer, Lewis admitted: “ I don’t really know where all that came from, to be honest. I trained as an actor, I danced a bit when I was a teen, but haven’t since. “It’s only ever really been acting for me for a long, long time – so I don’t really know where that came from.” Lewis Cope is hitting back at those who claim he's a "professionally" trained dancer He added: “To call me professionally trained or a professional dancer seems a bit bizarre, especially now that I’m working with these pros on the show. “It’s kind of an insult to them, really, to suggest I’m on their level when they’ve dedicated their lives to becoming as brilliant as they are.” But the former Emmerdale star isn’t the only celebrity on this year’s Strictly line-up whose history with dance has put him under scrutiny. Like Lewis, Amber Davies joined the show just days before the first live show, after fellow Love Island winner Dani Dyer was forced to withdraw due to injury . Before joining the cast of Love Island , Amber trained as a musical theatre performer, and has gone on to appear in West End shows like 9 To 5 and Back To The Future. Last year, she also competed on ITV’s now-defunct Strictly rival Dancing On Ice . MORE REALITY TV NEWS: Strictly Bosses Address Claims Amber Davies Was Previously Rejected Due To Her Dance Experience Paloma Faith Reveals How Things Stand Between Herself And Alan Carr After Celebrity Traitors Twist Here Are The I'm A Celebrity Contestants Tipped To Be Returning For The Next All Stars Series