Home town praise for Hartlepool actor Lewis Cope after he is unveiled as Emmerdale's new heartthrob

“So proud.” That’s the reaction from Hartlepool after one of its finest talents joined the cast of television soap opera Emmerdale.
By Chris Cordner
Published 9th Dec 2022, 15:22 BST
Updated 10th Dec 2022, 08:29 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Lewis Cope has been revealed as the newest star on the long-running ITV series.

Viewers won’t have long to wait to see Lewis in his role as Nicky the new nanny at Hope Farm.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the show, Nicky impresses Gabby Thomas, Dawn Taylor and Kim Tate when he goes for an interview for the nanny job – and it looks like there may be more twists to come from Emmerdale’s newest heartthrob.

New Emmerdale star Lewis Cope, right, and in his days with Ruff Diamond, left.New Emmerdale star Lewis Cope, right, and in his days with Ruff Diamond, left.
New Emmerdale star Lewis Cope, right, and in his days with Ruff Diamond, left.

Lewis has already started filming for the programme and recently told the press he was “having fun” with the role.

He said Nicky was a “great character” to play and was very likeable.

Back in his hometown of Hartlepool, Lewis got heaps of praise from his pal Zac Healey for making it in the world of TV showbiz.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Zac said Lewis was a “humble” town lad who was massively talented and owed his success to his sheer hard work and attitude.

Lewis Cope in his role as Nicky in Emmerdale. Photo: ITV.Lewis Cope in his role as Nicky in Emmerdale. Photo: ITV.
Lewis Cope in his role as Nicky in Emmerdale. Photo: ITV.
Read More
7 photos from the day Cain brought an Emmerdale Christmas to Hartlepool

"I am really proud of him,” said Zac who is the choreographer of the Hartlepool street dance crew Ruff Diamond in which Lewis was a star almost 10 years ago.

Ruff Diamond came within a whisker of winning the grand finals of the Got To Dance show on Sky TV in 2013.

Lewis was also part of Ruff Diamond when the crew appeared on the Children In Need TV show and danced with the cast of EastEnders.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Members of Ruff Diamond read their centre-spread story in the Hartlepool Mail ahead of their trip to London to compete in the Got To Dance final in 2013. Left to right are: Lewis Cope, Jason Lund, Ryan Wilson and Ryan Llewellyn.Members of Ruff Diamond read their centre-spread story in the Hartlepool Mail ahead of their trip to London to compete in the Got To Dance final in 2013. Left to right are: Lewis Cope, Jason Lund, Ryan Wilson and Ryan Llewellyn.
Members of Ruff Diamond read their centre-spread story in the Hartlepool Mail ahead of their trip to London to compete in the Got To Dance final in 2013. Left to right are: Lewis Cope, Jason Lund, Ryan Wilson and Ryan Llewellyn.

And he also competed with the crew in three world Hip Hop International world championships in Las Vegas.

He added: “He had all of these experiences. He soaks everything up and he continues to do that.

"Lewis spent a lot of years in Ruff Diamond and he has gone on to huge things since then. He is going from strength to strength.

"He is massively talented but even now, he is still a humble lad. A lovely genuine lad.

Lewis , left, with fellow members of Ruff Diamond Ryan Llewellyn, Ryan Wilson, Jason Lund, Aaron Staunch and Zac Healey 9 years ago.Lewis , left, with fellow members of Ruff Diamond Ryan Llewellyn, Ryan Wilson, Jason Lund, Aaron Staunch and Zac Healey 9 years ago.
Lewis , left, with fellow members of Ruff Diamond Ryan Llewellyn, Ryan Wilson, Jason Lund, Aaron Staunch and Zac Healey 9 years ago.

"Whenever he is home, he sends me a message to meet up.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Zac said he “recognised” when Lewis was in Ruff Diamond that he was really hard working and that is something that has served him well.

"This is what he deserves.”

Lewis’s legacy in Hartlepool

And while he’s filming for Emmerdale, Lewis is also having another impact back in Hartlepool.

The current Ruff Diamond troupe is appearing in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Town Hall Theatre in Raby Road.

London here we come: Ruff Diamond catching the train to London ahead of the Got to Dance final in 2013. Left to right are: Jason Lund, Lewis Cope, Zac Healey, Ryan Llewellyn, Aaron Staunch and Ryan Wilson.London here we come: Ruff Diamond catching the train to London ahead of the Got to Dance final in 2013. Left to right are: Jason Lund, Lewis Cope, Zac Healey, Ryan Llewellyn, Aaron Staunch and Ryan Wilson.
London here we come: Ruff Diamond catching the train to London ahead of the Got to Dance final in 2013. Left to right are: Jason Lund, Lewis Cope, Zac Healey, Ryan Llewellyn, Aaron Staunch and Ryan Wilson.

The panto will be on from Tuesday, December 13, to Saturday, December 24, with a combination of morning, afternoon and evening performances.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Zac said: “The Ruff Diamond crew of today is made up of the dancers who were inspired by Lewis when they were much younger. They are all 18 to 20 years old now and they started to dance because of the success of Ruff Diamond.”

As well as choreographing Ruff Diamond’s latest crew, Zac also runs the Ruff Diamond Academy in Osborne Road. It is the town’s first dedicated studio for street dance.