Almost 72 hours since the pair performed their final dance on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor, Lewis Cope has addressed his controversial dismissal from the show.
During Sunday’s pre-recorded results show, Mr Cope and his partner, Katya Jones, bid a tearful farewell to the competition after being unanimously voted off by the judges following the dance-off against Amber Davies.
The results sent shockwaves through the Strictly fandom, with many branding it a “robbery”, “the biggest shock in the show’s history”, and some even vowed to stop watching.
Both Ms Jones and Mr Cope remained quiet on social media following the decision, although they did reach out to Ms Davies, who paid tribute to them both shortly after Sunday’s results show.
Now, however, following Monday’s emotional It Takes Two appearance, Mr Cope has decided to publish a lengthy statement in tribute to his pro partner.
“Katya Jones you are my hero mush,” the Emmerdale star began.
“You are the most extraordinary, strong, bold, funny, intelligent, caring, fun, beautiful, hard working, talented, honest, special and courageous human.
“From the moment I met you I knew something special was about to happen. We clicked, the energy aligned, our values connected and we knew we were going to give this our best shot.
“You handled this unknown experience for me with grace and kindness and it has created the most beautiful, heartwarming memories.
“We didn’t stop laughing and singing for 12 weeks. We really did give it everything! I am so proud of us and I wouldn’t change a thing! Your strengths rubbed off on me and we were a solid team.
“We always had each others back. You taught me how to embrace new emotions I was scared to, brought me out my shell and have ultimately changed me.
“I didn’t just fall in love with dance, I fell in ln love with life again,” the actor candidly admitted.
He went on to show his gratitude to their supporters. “To everyone that supported us and voted for us thank you so much, I have never felt so elevated,” he said.
“This show has brought me so much joy and I’m glad we could share the joy with you. There are so many moments that will live with me forever and I am so grateful I was lucky enough to experience them.
“Hartlepool, my family I will never not be grateful for the love I have received. @rachmayalopez I know this experience has been tough but you have been there every step of the way with love. You are a diamond, I love you so much!”
He signed off: “@bbcstrictly @katyajones thank you for this life changing experience, you were the gift that kept on giving. My heart is full. I’m sad it’s over but I’m happy it happened. Thank you for watching.”
Strictly stars soon flooded the replies to Mr Cope’s statement. “You’ll go down in strictly history mate! The best there was,” wrote Harry Aikinies-Aryeetey.
And Vito Coppola weighed in: “You two guys have been just gem. What you created on the dance floor was just incredible and unique!! Loved your pairing since day one.” (sic)
The statement came just hours after Ms Jones sparked concern as she broke down in tears on It Takes Two.
Speaking to Fleur East on Monday night, Ms Jones suggested she blamed herself for Mr Cope losing his spot in the competition.
“Looking back, obviously, I can’t help but think I could have done things differently to make things better for him,” she said through tears.
“He can only do what I’ve asked him to do, and he didn’t just do that this time.
“He did that every single time. We were in a tough position, expected to deliver these almost-perfect, show-stopping routines every single Saturday, which you did. I don’t know how you did. But you did.”
Mr Cope dismissed Ms Jones’s claims that she was to blame, lending a supportive shoulder during the interview.