Strictly Come Dancing is back for its fourth live show of the 2025 series – and Lewis Cope is clearing up rumours about his dancing background.
After topping the leaderboard for Movie Week, the former Emmerdale star, who was a late stage replacement for this year’s run, has been accused of being a skilled dancer due to his past West End experience.
"It's strange to hear that I'm some kind of 'professional dancer'. It's been so long since I danced, and I never trained professionally,” the star told OK.
The actor will be hoping to receive high scores for his Foxtrot to Nat King Cole's “L-O-V-E”, while Neighbours star Stefan Dennis and his partner Dianne Buswell will be performing a Charleston, having missed last week’s episode due to vertigo.
Entertainment reporter Ross King became the second star to be eliminated after a shock dance off with EastEnders’ Balvinder Sopal. King’s departure followed Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner, who said this week he wishes he’d never signed up to the competition.
Follow the latest updates below:
Strictly Come Dancing: Live updates
- Stefan Dennis reveals why he missed last week's episode
- All the week four dances to expect
- Lewis Cope responds to claims he’s professionally trained dancer
- Thomas Skinner regrets saying yes to show
- Rachel Zegler to perform on series next weekend
15 minutes to go!
18:15 , Rachel McGrathThere’s not long to go until tonight’s show - 15 minutes to be exact. Now’s the time to get the snacks and drinks ready!
Channing Tatum left confused over Dianne Buswell’s pregnancy on One Show
18:00 , Ellie MuirChanning Tatum looked bewildered when he misinterpreted a reference to Dianne Buswell’s pregnancy while appearing on The One Show.
The Roofman actor and Strictly Come Dancing professional – who is expecting her first child – were both guests on the BBC chat show when host Alex Jones offered “huge congratulations” to Buswell, saying that “there’s actually three of you dancing” on the competition.
Buswell smiled to her celebrity dance partner Stefan Dennis, saying, “There are three of us dancing.” Tatum, who was unaware of Buswell’s pregnancy, frowned and looked confused about what was being discussed.
Read more here:
Channing Tatum hilariously confused by Strictly star’s pregnancy comments
Rachel Zegler to perform acclaimed Evita role on Strictly Come Dancing
17:10 , Ellie MuirRachel Zegler is bringing her acclaimed West End performance to Strictly Come Dancing.
The BBC has confirmed that the actor, who recently concluded her run in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, will appear on the show to mark Icons Week – just two weeks after Wicked star Cynthia Erivo guest mentored the contestants.
Read more here:
Exclusive: Acclaimed West End star to perform showstopping role on Strictly
Stefan Dennis reveals why he had to miss last week’s episode
16:00 , Jacob StolworthyTonight, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis will make a return to Strictly – and has revealed why he had to sit out of last week’s episode.
More here:
Stefan Dennis reveals what illness prevented him from dancing on Strictly last week
Amber Davies is uncertain about tonight’s performance
15:30 , Jacob StolworthyAmber Davies will perform this year’s first Argentine Tango – and she’s feeling the nerves.
Speaking on companion show It Takes Two, Davies said “It’s the first time I’ve looked at a routine and thought ‘I don’t know if I’m going to be able to achieve that.’”
She said the challenging routine is “a massive compliment” as it means her professional partner Nikita Kuzmin “believes” in her.
Alex Kingston is one to watch
15:00 , Jacob StolworthyMany Strictly viewers are earmarking ER and Doctor Who star Alex Kingston as a dark horse in this year’s competition.
After a meagre first week performance, Kingston has risen up the leaderboard – and is fast becoming a fan favourite.
Who is favourite to be voted off next?
14:30 , Jacob StolworthyThe odds are in for this weekend’s Strictly – and it seems Chris Robshaw will be lucky to make it through.
Rugby player Robshaw is the most likely to be eliminated in tomorrow’s results show, closely followed by Stefan Dennis, Balvinder Sopal.
Cynthia Erivo appeared on last week’s show
14:00 , Jacob StolworthyStrictly viewers were treated to an appearace by Wicked star Cynthia Erivo in last week’s episode.
It was revealed by presenter Tess Daly at the start of the episode that the Oscar-nominated actor had been guest mentoring the stars, but would not be offering scores after each performance.
This led to a few awkward moments.
‘All a bit awkward’: Strictly viewers left baffled by Cynthia Erivo decision
Catch up with last week’s events
13:30 , Jacob StolworthyStrictly Come Dancing brought plenty of drama in its annual Movie Week – and one star even managed the impressive feat of landing the first 10 of the series.
Strictly Come Dancing week three: Movie Night sees first 10 of the series
Last week’s leaderboard
13:00 , Jacob StolworthyBefore week four fo the competition, catch up onn he marks and total scores from last weeks from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke:
Lewis Cope and Katya Jones – 9 + 10 + 9 + 9 = 37
Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin – 8 + 9 + 9 + 9 = 35
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer – 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 32
George Clarke and Alexis Warr – 6 + 8 + 9 + 8 = 31
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe – 7 + 8 + 7 + 8 = 30
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley – 7 + 7 + 6 + 8 = 28
La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec – 7 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 28
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon – 7 + 7 + 6 + 6 =26
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola – 6 + 7 +7 + 7 = 25
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu – 4 + 7 + 7 + 7 = 25
Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington – 5 + 7 + 6 + 7 = 25
Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova – 4 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 22
Ross King and Jowita Przystał – 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 19
‘Strictly’ fans lef furious after last week's dance off
12:30 , Jacob StolworthyStrictly Come Dancing fans were left in disbelief after Balvinder Sopal found herself in the dreaded dance off.
On Sunday’s results show (12 October), the EastEnders star received the least number of votes alongside entertainment reporter Ross King.
While King became the second contestant to be eliminated from the 2025 series, viewers couldn’t help but share their surprise at Sopal and her professional partner Julian Caillon’s presence in the bottom two.
Strictly fans left furious after surprise star ends up in dance off
Vicky Pattison says she’s ‘overwhelmed’ by ‘Strictly’ experience
12:00 , Jacob StolworthyReality television personality Vicky Pattison has described her experience on Strictly Come Dancing as “intimidating and overwhelming”.
The star, who is paired with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, admitted that training for the BBC hit series has been a “baptism of fire”,
“All the pros are carved like angels, and I’m there sweating away in my gym gear,” she told Women’s Health UK.
“It’s both intimidating and overwhelming. But as you get older, you don’t often get the opportunity to get out of your comfort zone. I like to prove I’m capable.”
More here:
Strictly star admits she’s finding BBC dance show ‘overwhelming’
Katya Jones finally has the partner she deserves
11:14 , Jacob StolworthyThe Strictly professional has had a run of bad luck and scandals on the show – it’s about time she had a partner who could win.
Rachel McGrath reports:
Amy Dowden shares dark horse prediction for 2025 series
10:45 , Jacob StolworthyAmy Dowden, the professional dancer who was partnered with Thomas Skinner, thinks Karen Carney has a fighting chance at winning this year’s series.
Speaking about potential winners, Dowden told The Independent: “A footballer, who would have thought it? I love the way she’s coming out there and she’s selling these performances.”
Thomas Skiner regrets saying yes to 'Strictly'
10:15 , Jacob StolworthyReality TV star Thomas Skinner has revealed regret over taking part in Strictly Come Dancing.
The former Apprentice contestant was the first celebrity to be eliminated from this year’s edition of the BBC One dancing show, and Skinner has now admitted he “never fitted the bill”.
More here:
Thomas Skinner admits Strictly ‘regret’ in angry social media post
Lewis Cope ‘confused’ by claims he’s trained professional
10:07 , Jacob StolworthyEmmerdale star Lewis Cope is addressing claims he’s a professionally trained dancer after topping the leaderboard– and receiving the first 10 of the series.
“It’s strange to hear that I’m some kind of ‘professional dancer’. It’s been so long since I danced, and I never trained professionally,” the star told OK.
The actor previously revealed it’s been more than a decade since he last danced.
Who is dancing what during tonight’s episode?
10:00 , Jacob StolworthyThere is no theme in the next episode – but see below for a sneak peek at what dances to expect:
- Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola – Couple’s Choice to “Golden” by HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters
- Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell – Charleston to “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I
- Karen Carney and Carlos Gu – Quickstep to “Marvellous Party” by Beverley Knight
- Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe – Rumba to “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman
- La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec – Cha-cha-cha to “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” by Pat Benetar
- Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin – Argentine Tango to “Angel of My Dream” by JADE
- Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon – Paso doble to “Diablo Rojo” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
- Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley – Couple’s Choice to a medley of soca songs from Trinidad and Tobago
- Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer – Rumba to “It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette
- Lewis Cope and Katya Jones – Foxtrot to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
- Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova – Salsa to “Maria” by Ricky Martin
- Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington – Samba to “La Isla Bonita” by Madonna
- George Clarke and Alexis Warr – Tango to “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay
Stefan Dennis will return to dancefloor after illness
09:48 , Jacob StolworthyNeighbours star Stefan Dennis will return to Strictly after a week off.
Just 24 hours before last weekend’s episode, the actor was forced to sit out of the show after suffering from vertigo.
More here:
Stefan Dennis reveals what illness prevented him from dancing on Strictly last week
