Lewis Cope’s Girlfriend Reacts to His On-Screen Kiss: The Strictly star scored a perfect 40 on Halloween night and shared a kiss with his dance partner — but his girlfriend Rachel’s reaction has taken everyone by surprise

Strictly Come Dancing star Lewis Cope has opened up about his long-term relationship and revealed how his girlfriend of seven years, Rachel Maya Lopez, really feels about his steamy on-screen moments — including those with his dance partner Katya Jones.

The 30-year-old Emmerdale actor recently made headlines after earning the first perfect 40 of the series for his Halloween performance, leaving both judges and viewers spellbound. But as always with Strictly, alongside the dazzling dance moves comes the inevitable chatter about the infamous “Strictly curse” — a topic that Lewis insists has never been an issue in his relationship.

Speaking to The Sun, Lewis said, “Over the years I’ve had to kiss a lot of people on stage or onscreen as an actor, so she’s used to it — actually, she’s more used to me kissing boys! But it’s never been a problem. Katya and Rachel have met several times, and the whole ‘Strictly curse’ thing has never even come up between us.”

Rachel, who works as a pilates instructor, has been by his side since the very start of his acting journey, supporting him in every way — even preparing packed lunches for his long rehearsal days. “She’s my biggest supporter,” Lewis said warmly.

The pair met in their early twenties and have built a strong relationship grounded in trust. Despite Lewis’s growing fame and close partnerships on the dancefloor, their bond appears unshakable.

When asked about claims that he has an unfair advantage due to a performing arts background, Lewis brushed off the criticism. He explained, “I trained as an actor, not a dancer. I did a bit of dancing as a teen, but that’s it. To say I’m professionally trained feels bizarre — it’s actually an insult to the pros who’ve dedicated their lives to this craft.”

Even Katya weighed in, telling Radio Times: “Lewis can move, for sure, but we’re working on turning him into a ballroom dancer. Sometimes having a musical theatre background can be tricky — unlearning habits is harder than starting fresh.”

From his humble beginnings in Hartlepool, where he moved to London at age ten to chase his dream, to now dazzling millions every weekend on Strictly, Lewis Cope has shown that talent, humility, and a solid relationship can outshine any so-called “curse.”