Lewis Cope is an English actor and dancer best known for playing Nicky Miligan in Emmerdale. After leaving the ITV soap in 2024, he competed on Strictly Come Dancing and secured a major role in the Channel 5 thriller Forever Home.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lewis Cope |
| Date of birth | 19 March 1995 |
| Age in 2026 | 31 |
| Birthplace | Hartlepool, County Durham |
| Emmerdale character | Nicky Miligan |
| Years in Emmerdale | 2022–2024 |
| Strictly professional partner | Katya Jones |
| Latest television role | Kaden Barrie in Forever Home |
| @lewiscope |
Who Is Lewis Cope?
Born in Hartlepool, the actor grew up as one of 14 children. He developed an interest in performance at a young age and appeared as Michael in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical.
He later joined the dance group Ruff Diamond, which reached the final of the Sky One competition Got to Dance in 2013. His early dance experience would become particularly useful more than a decade later.
After training at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, he built an acting career across television and theatre. His credits before joining the Emmerdale cast included Hetty Feather, Doctors, Vera and The Impressions Show.
Lewis Cope’s Role as Nicky Miligan
Nicky Miligan arrived in December 2022 as a nanny employed at Home Farm. He appeared to develop a romance with Gabby Thomas, but the relationship was part of a secret plan.
Viewers eventually discovered that Nicky Miligan was the son of Caleb Miligan and the grandson of Frank Tate. Caleb Miligan had pressured his son into helping him target Kim Tate and take control of the Home Farm fortune.
Another major revelation followed when Nicky Miligan admitted that he was gay. He ended his engagement to Gabby Thomas because he could no longer continue deceiving her.
The character later began a genuine relationship with Suni Sharma. The role earned the actor a Rising Star nomination at the 2023 National Television Awards and a Best Newcomer nomination at the Inside Soap Awards.
In an official ITV interview, the actor explained that he initially believed Nicky Miligan was simply being introduced as a love interest for Gabby Thomas. He learned about the character’s connection to Caleb Miligan as the story developed.
Why Did Lewis Cope Leave Emmerdale?
Nicky Miligan left the village with Suni Sharma in July 2024.
The couple decided to begin a new life away from their families after becoming increasingly frustrated by the behaviour of Caleb Miligan, Ruby Fox-Miligan and Jai Sharma. Nicky Miligan was particularly disturbed by his parents’ attempt to conceal Ruby Fox-Miligan’s involvement in the hit-and-run of Ethan Anderson.
The departure did not kill the character or permanently close the door on a future appearance. However, no return has been officially announced.
The actor later spoke positively about his time on the programme, describing the cast and crew as the best part of the experience. There was no confirmed dispute behind the departure.
How Far Did Lewis Cope Get on Strictly?
He joined the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing as a late replacement for Kristian Nairn, who withdrew for medical reasons. Katya Jones became his professional partner.
Despite having previous dance experience, ballroom and Latin routines presented a different challenge. The pair became strong contenders and received the first perfect score of the series for their Couple’s Choice performance to Radiohead’s “Creep”.
They later earned another perfect score for a Charleston. However, the pair were eliminated in fifth place before the semi-final, making their departure one of the season’s most discussed results.
After the television competition, he joined the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour in early 2026. ITV News reported that his performance background included both professional acting and dance before he entered the ballroom.
What Is Lewis Cope Doing Now?
Lewis Cope’s latest television project is Forever Home, a six-part Channel 5 thriller adapted from the novel by Graham Norton.
He plays Kaden Barrie alongside Amy Nuttall, Douglas Henshall, Denise Welch, Kevin Whately, Samantha Bond and Jenny Walser. The mystery follows a family whose past begins to unravel after a body is discovered in a basement freezer.
The series premiered on 14 September 2026, with all six episodes made available through Channel 5’s streaming service. His talent agency profile confirms that Kaden Barrie appears throughout the complete series.
The role marks a clear move into prime-time drama following his soap departure and successful period on Strictly Come Dancing.
Is Lewis Cope Married?
He is not known to be married. During his 2025 Strictly Come Dancing run, he publicly referred to Rachel Lopez as his girlfriend.
The actor generally keeps the relationship away from extensive media coverage, so claims about changes in his personal life should not be treated as confirmed unless they come directly from him.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the actor?
He was born on 19 March 1995 and is 31 years old in 2026.
Where is he from?
He is from Hartlepool in County Durham, England.
Was he a professional dancer?
He performed in Billy Elliot the Musical as a child and competed with the dance group Ruff Diamond on Got to Dance. However, he had not previously trained as a competitive ballroom dancer before joining Strictly Come Dancing.
Who did he play in Emmerdale?
He played Nicky Miligan, the son of Caleb Miligan and Ruby Fox-Miligan. Nicky Miligan was also revealed to be a grandson of Frank Tate and Faith Dingle.
Could Lewis Cope return to Emmerdale?
A return remains possible because Nicky Miligan left the village alive. However, ITV has not announced plans to bring the character back, and the actor is currently pursuing other television projects.
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