Katya Jones has insisted that Lewis Cope’s previous background in the performing arts won’t necessarily be a ticket to the final after some fans criticised his casting on the show.

Emmerdale’s Mr Cope was drafted in as a last-minute replacement for Kristian Nairn, but while the late arrival may have left him with less time to prepare, his experience on the dancefloor appears to have geared him up well.

Speaking to Radio Times after the pair were unveiled as one of 15 duos taking to the ballroom this year, both Ms Jones and Mr Cope addressed the performing arts experience on his CV, but suggested it didn’t warrant the “fix” claims that have emerged.

Acknowledging the fact Mr Cope’s background is now public knowledge, Ms Jones began: “I’m known as the queen of dad dancers, but this year is different.

“I think everyone’s aware that Lewis can move, and I’m looking forward to turning him into a ballroom dancer.

“But his musical theatre experience might be a hindrance. Unlearning habits is harder than blank-canvas learning.”

Addressing his appearance in the stage production of Billy Elliot as a youngster, Mr Cope hit back at those using it against him.

“It was 19 years ago, and it was just tap dancing on my part,” he explained. “I haven’t worn a pair of tap shoes in 17 years, so I’m not sure how that would go.

“But if I manage to get to musicals week, I’d love to do something from Billy Elliot.”

However, it wasn’t just in the Billy Elliot stage show that Mr Cope honed his craft on stage.

Over the past few days, Strictly fans have learned that Mr Cope took part in the Sky One dance competition, Got To Dance, fronted by Davina McCall.

Mr Cope performed as part of a troupe that was judged by Diversity’s Ashley Banjo, Pussycat Dolls’ Kimberly Wyatt, and actor and dancer, Adam Garcia, in the hopes of pocketing the cash prize at the end.

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Mr Cope made the final of the show in 2013 as part of Ruff Diamond. The group ultimately finished as runners-up.

Footage of the group’s performance has since been shared far and wide on social media and resulted in a rather mixed reception from the Strictly fandom.

On X, one fan criticised: “He danced live on TV in a competition in front of judges? I think it gives Lewis some leg up on everyone else. #strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”

“He was so obviously better than everyone else, even in just that little dance on Saturday, so it was very clear his previous dancing experience was extensive,” a second claimed. “He’s a pretty boy, though, so no doubt won’t get the same flak as a lot of the others who have had experience in the past.”

And a third hit out: “The one thing I hate, they show no improvement from week one, nobody should be getting the scores some of them get on week one, it boils my blood, unfair advantage, it doesn’t matter how you dress it up, it’s another Layton in the making.”

However, Mr Cope has received plenty of support from fans arguing against the “fix” claims. One X user argued that they “couldn’t care less” about Mr Cope’s experience.

A second added during Saturday’s launch: “We’re a few hours in and the dance experience moaners are already going for Lewis.

“FIVE celebs have dance experience this year, there are celebs with experience EVERY series, he hasn’t danced for TWELVE years and he’s NEVER done ballroom or latin. So just stop. #Strictly.” (sic)

The debate surrounding trained dancers taking part in Strictly Come Dancing isn’t exactly a new one.

Last year, Tasha Ghouri and Sarah Hadland came under particular scrutiny for their history in the performing arts world.

Beyond them, the likes of Layton Williams, Ashley Roberts, Denise Van Outen, Danny Mac, Jay McGuinness, and Fleur East, among others, have also faced their fair share of criticism.

Despite the debate surrounding his background, Mr Cope remains one of the frontrunners to lift the Glitterball Trophy by the end of the series.