Lewis Cope looks back: ‘I never got bullied for wearing a dress. My brothers did boxing!’

2026-02-08 - 14:25

The Strictly star and Emmerdale actor on growing up with 13 siblings, holding on to hope between roles, and why he never got bullied for wearing a dress Born in Hartlepool, County Durham, in 1995, Lewis Cope is an actor and dancer. Aged 13, he made his first stage appearance in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. After competing on the series Got to Dance in 2013, he trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Cope has since appeared on television series such as Doctors and Vera, and in Emmerdale, as Nicky Miligan, from 2022 to 2024. He performs in the Strictly Come Dancing live tour until 15 February. This is me in a dress, playing Michael in Billy Elliot the Musical. Michael is Billy’s gay best friend – he wears his sister’s clothes without fear or shame, and is the one who inspires Billy to be whoever he wants to be. Being part of that story at such a young age was a complete eye-opener. It was also the point in my life when I realised my dream of performing was achievable, and that I was ready to do it. Continue reading...