Lewis Cope Shares Girlfriend's Support Amid Strictly Co-Star Partnership

Lewis Cope, the Emmerdale actor and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, has revealed that his girlfriend of seven years, Rachel Maya Lopez, is his biggest supporter and is unfazed by his close partnership with professional dancer Katya Jones. The couple achieved the first perfect 40 score of the series with their Halloween Night performance to Radiohead's "Creep," earning widespread praise from the judges. Lewis emphasized that Rachel is accustomed to his on-screen and stage kisses, including with male co-stars, so the so-called "Strictly curse" and his partnership with Katya have never been an issue. Katya and Rachel have met multiple times, and Lewis expressed appreciation for his girlfriend's support, including preparing him meals for rehearsals. The emotional performance also touched Lewis’s family, with his grandmother moved to tears watching the show, highlighting the personal significance of his Strictly journey. Despite being a favorite to win, Lewis downplayed any advantage from his performance background, considering it an insult to professional dancers like Katya.