Strictly Come Dancing star's hidden link to David Beckham 'going back years'

Lewis Cope was visibly moved after receiving four perfect tens for his electrifying performance on Strictly Come Dancing's ballroom floor on Saturday evening. The former Emmerdale actor and his professional partner, Katya Jones, impressed both the judges and viewers in the studio and at home with their remarkable Couple's Choice routine. Craig Revel Horwood began applauding after their Halloween-themed dance and said: "I liked that," before playfully adapting his signature catchphrase to declare it "spooktacular!". Fellow judge Motsi Mabuse also lavished praise on Lewis, calling his performance "out of this world ", whilst Strictly's head judge Shirley Ballas suggested that Lewis' family deserved thanks for the gift that is Lewis before adding: "Well done, you." Katya was delighted with both the performance and their scores. After the programme, the professional dancer re-posted messages from Lewis' family on Instagram , reports Wales Online . One featured his grandmother in tears with the caption: " Wowwww... That left Nana Dot in TEARS," whilst another photograph showed an emotional Dot holding up her own '10' paddle. Responding, Katya wrote: "THE MOST IMPORTANT REWARD OF ALL! ! ! !" She also revealed how she and Lewis managed to FaceTime Nana Dot, declaring: "This is all for Nana Dot [heart emoji]." Whilst Lewis may be capturing hearts and minds every Saturday on BBC One, the actor leads a far more peaceful life away from the cameras. Here's the lowdown on Lewis' life off-screen.... Lewis first made his splash in Emmerdale in December 2022, when he turned up in the village as the new nanny, Nicky. At first, Nicky seemed like a godsend to the Tate household as he started looking after Kim Tate's grandson Thomas, but things rapidly got more complicated when he became embroiled in a plot to steal Kim's fortune. Earlier this year, the motive behind his presence in the village was unveiled to viewers when it was revealed that Nicky was the grandson of Frank Tate, Kim's ex-husband whom she had left for dead back in 1997. Egged on by his father Caleb to get revenge on Kim, Nicky was tasked with wooing Gabby, the mother of Kim's grandson, in order to fleece the farm owner of every penny she had. Despite voicing his doubts to his father, Nicky was pushed into going ahead with the relationship despite admitting that he was gay - a disclosure that tugged at the heartstrings of many viewers at home. Off the Emmerdale set, Lewis is part of a big family, being one of 14 children. This has led to him having 13 nieces and nephews to dote on, thanks to his siblings. While Lewis is known for his acting and modelling career, three of his brothers - Adam, Danny and Peter - have taken a different route, each bagging the Northern area title as professional fighters! However, Lewis opted for an acting career instead, launching his professional journey aged just 11 when he secured a role in Billy Elliot: The Musical at London's West End. Twelve months later, Lewis headed back home and became part of the street dance troupe Ruff Diamond, who finished as runners-up on Sky's Got To Dance in 2013. Although he'd already built up an impressive CV, Lewis made the decision to undertake formal drama training at 18. Since then, he's appeared in programmes including Vera, Doctors and Hetty Feather before securing his coveted soap role. Away from the cameras, Lewis's romantic life is considerably more settled than his character Nicky's. He's been together with Rachel Lopez for around six years. The pair frequently post stylish and loving snapshots on Instagram. Boosting their power couple credentials, Rachel, who comes from Ireland, also works in the acting world and is a professional Pilates instructor. In a touching post last December, Lewis uploaded a picture of them both with the caption: "6 years of Dublin at Christmas with you. Wouldn't have it any other way." They routinely go on romantic holidays together, with Greece standing out as a especially beloved location. Based on pictures shared on Instagram, they make annual trips to the Greek islands of Mykonos and Naxos. One snap shows the pair, both wearing white, capturing a candid moment whilst looking out towards the Mykonos sunset, with Lewis writing: "Thank you for being you". Rachel replied warmly to the sweet picture, commenting: "Thank YOU for being you b****y love the heart in you xxxxx". Yet behind the glossy facade of Lewis and Rachel's jet-set existence, the couple have revealed a far more down-to-earth side to their daily lives, using social media to share updates on their DIY home renovation venture. Away from the luxury breaks and slick interviews, the duo have shown they're not afraid to get their hands dirty, grafting tirelessly to turn their house into their dream home - even when it means knocking down walls and wading through building rubble. Posting progress reports on social media about the renovation adventure, Rachel told her followers: " I'd choose the tabloids glamorous versions of reality over mine any day right now! ! ! Butttt @lewiscope and I are building a dream we've had for 5 years now.....there's no backing out now. I'll have a bathroom wall again very soon!". Soap stars frequently count celebrities amongst their mates, but fans may be shocked to discover that Lewis and former England skipper David Beckham have known each other for years. David and Lewis's bond goes back to 2020 when they both appeared in a promotional campaign for David's cologne, Bold Instinct. Speaking to The Mirror about his unexpected friendship with David Beckham, Lewis, a Hartlepool lad, revealed: "I'm from a family of 14. Most of my brothers are boxers, but I chose to dance. "David used my story to encourage people to be themselves. We spent a day filming and he interviewed me; he was such a nice guy." This isn't the first time the pair have teamed up, as Lewis has also strutted his stuff for David Beckham Eyewear, the footie legend's stylish glasses brand. Aside from his star-studded connections, Lewis has been delighting fans by showing off his lavish lifestyle on social media. One standout feature of the actor's life is his love for globetrotting, with Lewis and Rachel having flown around the world to soak up the sun, sea and sand on several romantic getaways in recent years. In the past year alone, the actor has treated himself to trips to Budapest, the Greek islands of Naxos and Mykonos, and Dublin, Ireland. When he's back home in the UK, the Hartlepool native enjoys an equally plush lifestyle thanks to brand partnerships and is often spotted at swanky black-tie events. The actor has worked with David Beckham Eyewear and the ex-footballer's fragrance brand, as well as Calvin Klein. Furthermore, the celeb is a member of the ultra-exclusive Soho House, a club that started in London but now has multiple locations worldwide.