Emmerdale legend Lisa Riley has exclusively told us who she is backing to win Strictly Come Dancing – and it’s not Lewis Cope.
Lewis played Nicky Miligan on the ITV soap Emmerdale from December 2022 to July 2024. And during this time, Lisa Riley had already returned as the iconic Mandy Dingle.
Now, Lewis is competing on Strictly Come Dancing every Saturday night, hoping to take him the glitterball. Despite there being some backlash over his previous dancing experience, Lewis seems quite popular with viewers.
But in an exclusive chat with Lisa Riley on behalf of Buzz Bingo, she admitted she’s also rooting for another star.
Lisa’s time on Strictly Come Dancing
Way back in 2012, Lisa competed in series 10 of Strictly Come Dancing. During her time on the show she was partnered with professional dancer Robin Windsor.
Over the weeks, she was complimented on her energy and risky performances. The actress even made it the whole way to the semi-finals, but unfortunately missed out on lifting the trophy.
However, it’s clear she enjoyed it, and she told ED! that that’s the sort of person she enjoys watching – someone who doesn’t think they are perfect. But are in it to have fun and to improve over the weeks.
Lisa Riley supporting Vicky Pattison to win Strictly
When asked who she is backing to win Strictly, Lisa admitted that, while she’s supporting Lewis, she also wants Vicky to go all the way.
She told us: “Obviously Lewis Cope because he’s an Emmerdaler. But I want Vicky Pattison all the way. I think she is just amazing.
“She’s like the girl I see in the supermarket, who’s just been dropped into the biggest show in the country. She is embracing it and I love that.”
As for why she wants Vicky to go all the way, Lisa admitted she enjoys seeing someone who isn’t perfect and just does their best.
Lisa explained: “I don’t want to see perfect perfect. If I want perfect, I will watch the pro’s because they are. I want to see someone just do what I did – I was a sponge.
“I don’t want to see someone being too picky, it’s not good television. But I do want to see someone having a right good laugh and going, ‘I’ve just done a cha-cha’ or ‘I’ve just done a street dance dressed up as Cheryl Cole’. The only thing missing from Vicky’s routine was a hairbrush as a microphone.”
Read more: Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley ‘in advanced talks’ for I’m A Celebrity 2025
What do you think of Lisa Riley supporting both Lewis and Vicky on Strictly Come Dancing? Let us know by leaving a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix. We want to know your thoughts!