Lewis and Katya scored the first perfect score of the 2025 series. (BBC/Guy Levy)

Having got the first 10 of the series back in Movie Week, the Emmerdale star managed the first perfect score of the series after a flawless Couple’s Choice.

Before their dance to Radiohead’s “Creep,” Cope opened up about growing up in a small town as one of the younger children in a family of 13 siblings and leaving home at the age of 10. He then revealed that his family now has a “Strictly cinema” in the house, where they gather every Saturday night.

“Spook-tacular!” exclaimed Craig Revel Horwood while Anton Du Beke hailed the routine the “best dance of the series by a million miles” before adding: “Craig and I, we’ve been here since the very beginning and that dance is as good as anything we’ve ever seen on any series. There was nothing you could have done to that dance to make it any better.”

After a heartfelt thank you to his family, Cope and Jones embraced as they received the first 40 of the series, with the rest of the cast quickly joining in the celebrations.

The audience was visibly moved by the personal story Lewis shared before the dance, showing that Strictly is not just about technical skill but also about the journey and growth of each contestant. Many fans took to social media, praising the emotional depth he brought to the performance, making the flawless routine even more memorable.

Meanwhile, Katya’s impeccable choreography and connection with Lewis elevated the dance to another level. Their synchronization, expressive storytelling, and fearless execution demonstrated why they are strong contenders for this season’s title, leaving both judges and viewers eagerly anticipating what the duo will bring in the coming weeks.