Strictly Come Dancing viewers couldn’t help but notice Lewis Cope bore a striking resemblance to a famous TV presenter during the launch of the new series on Saturday.
During the latest instalment of the hit BBC show, Emmerdale actor Lewis, 30, was paired with pro dancer Katya Jones, 36, after stepping in at the last minute to replace Kristian Nairn.
But as the celebrities gathered on the iconic Strictly sofa to chat with co-hosts Claudia Winkleman, 53, and Tess Daly, 56, fans couldn’t help but notice Lewis looked very familiar.
Several took to social media to point out that Lewis looks quite a bit like Tess’ husband Vernon Kay, 51.
One wrote: ‘Honestly thought Lewis was Vernon Kay.’; ‘That Lewis looks like Vernon Kay.’; ‘Why does Lewis look like Vernon Kay.’
While another joked that the pair must be related in some way, adding: ‘Ok but like this lad has got to have some relation to Vernon Kay right.’
Strictly Come Dancing viewers couldn’t help but notice Lewis Cope bore a striking resemblance to a famous TV presenter during the launch of the new series on Saturday
Several took to social media to point out that Lewis bears a striking resemblance to Tess Daly’s husband Vernon Kay, 51 (pictured 2023)
During the latest instalment of the hit BBC show, Emmerdale actor Lewis, 30, was paired with pro dancer Katya Jones, 36, after stepping in at the last minute to replace Kristian Nairn
Lewis revealed on The One Show last month that he learned he’d landed a spot on the show while strolling down London’s Oxford Street with a friend.
The actor bid farewell to Emmerdale in July 2024 after 18 months, when his character Nicky decided to leave the village with his boyfriend Suni Sharma.
Since leaving the soap, Lewis has been no stranger to sharing snaps of his shirtless physique and modelling shoots, as well as his trips abroad with his personal trainer girlfriend, Rachel Lopez.
He also has an unlikely friendship with legendary football star David, telling Lorraine Kelly: ‘A few years ago he asked me to be in his advert for his fragrance, Bold Instinct. He is such a nice guy.’
The Strictly news was revealed on the BBC show, just hours after Kristian announced that he had been forced to quit the new series of Strictly for medical reasons.
In an official statement, the actor and DJ, 49, said: ‘With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons.
‘I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor.
‘Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian.’
But as the celebrities gathered on the iconic Strictly sofa to chat with co-hosts Claudia Winkleman, 53, and Tess Daly, 56, fans couldn’t help but notice Lewis looked very familiar
They wrote: ‘Honestly thought Lewis was Vernon Kay.’; ‘That Lewis looks like Vernon Kay.’; ‘Why does Lewis look like Vernon Kay’
Kristian, best known for playing Hodor in Game Of Thrones, is 6ft 10, and worried about how his height would impact him on the dancefloor.
He explained: ‘This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!’
Sarah James, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, said: ‘We’ve absolutely loved getting to know Kristian in this short time, and he has all the makings of a brilliant Strictly Come Dancing contestant. We’re incredibly sorry to lose him from this year’s series, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.’
Sharing the reason for his exit in his own words in an Instagram video, he said: ‘Hey guys, I hope you’re doing well.
‘Firstly, sorry to be reading this, it’s a bit like a wedding speech, I guess. So, anybody who’s just followed me in the last couple of weeks, hello, I hope you’re well!
‘So I’m not going to beat around the bush with this, this is real talk. I’m not doing the PR thing, I hate that. I always try and be pretty honest and real with you guys, and hopefully, anybody who’s been around here for a while will attest to that.
‘I’ve been given a wonderful opportunity to become part of the Strictly Come Dancing family, as you may know. But sadly, I’m having to withdraw from this year’s show. There’s been such a response, and I definitely want to share why.
‘Like so many people at the minute, I’ve been dealing with a high level of stress and yeah, a little bit of grief if I’m going to be really real. I’ve always been my mother’s son, and I’ve always powered through things like this in the past and any other time in my life.
Lewis revealed on The One Show last month that he learned he’d landed a spot on the show while strolling down London’s Oxford Street with a friend
The Strictly news was revealed on the BBC show, just hours after Kristian announced that he had been forced to quit the new series of Strictly for medical reasons
‘Honestly, I think I’ve got a pretty healthy attitude to stuff like this – I thought I did at least. But for the first time, it’s manifested physically, and it’s caused a spike in my vitals, and it’s sort of ended in an area of concern.
‘I’m a big guy, I always have been ever since I set foot on this Earth, so I take my health very seriously and I do see my doctor all the time. I was checked for the show, like, two weeks before, and everything was fine, so he was happy for me to take part.
‘Please know I am okay, I’m under treatment already, and my doctor isn’t concerned. After two, maybe three weeks, I’ll be pretty much back to normal.
‘But sadly, I don’t have time for the show now, I mean, it’s not going to be in time for all the training and everything like that. And I also don’t want to leave them, you and the other contestants hanging, it’s not really fair.
‘And I’m gutted to say the least, I was really looking forward to taking part in this. The guys in the show, I’m not going to lie, have been completely understanding, and I’ve honestly felt 100 per cent supported, so I’m really grateful for that.
‘So let’s see what happens when I get sorted. I’m going to be taking it easy for now. I’ll be able to return to work very shortly.
‘I was so excited for this, but not only for myself but also for the amazing people from my home of Northern Ireland. It has always been my honour, in my weird way, just to show that I’m from Northern Ireland and I’m very proud. And I’m sorry if I’ve let you down in any way, but I’ll continue to do my best.
‘We live in strange, crazy times at the minute, so without being preachy, please look after yourself. Don’t ignore what’s going on inside your head. This is something I haven’t dealt with before, so this has really come as a surprise for me. I always thought I had this.
‘To my fellow contestants, although it was brief, I really enjoyed meeting all of you. It’s a really great bunch of people, and I’m looking forward to watching and seeing how well you all do.
‘Who knows what the future holds. I’m totally still here and creating in my own haphazard way and just trying to be better than ever. And don’t worry guys, I’ve totally got this.
‘I love you all truly, I really do and thank you for being part of my journey. Thank you for all the support you’ve always shown me and the new people as well, I really appreciate it.
He concluded: ‘And lastly, just enjoy the show and thank you for all the support, it’s been really great.’
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .