Strictly Come Dancing’s most heartbreaking elimination of the series is about to get the fairy-tale twist fans have been praying for – as Lewis Cope hints at a dramatic return to the dance floor with pro partner Katya Jones mere weeks after their shock quarter-final axe.

The Emmerdale heart-throb, 30, and fiery Russian dancer Katya, 36, had the nation in tears when they were brutally voted off in Musicals Week despite being red-hot favourites to lift the Glitterball. But now, insiders whisper their glittering story has “one more dramatic climax” in store – sparking endless speculation that the pair’s chemistry-filled partnership isn’t over just yet.

Just days ago, Lewis and Katya sent fans into frenzy by announcing they’ll reunite for a special one-off dance workshop in his hometown of Hartlepool – and sources say this could be the start of something bigger. “It’s not quite goodbye,” a Strictly insider dished. “There’s a real buzz backstage that their chapter isn’t closed. Fans are desperate to see more of that electric partnership.”

And the excitement ramped up even further when it was confirmed Lewis and Katya will hit the road together for the hotly-anticipated Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour 2026, kicking off in January. Lewis beamed: “I’m not ready to hang up my dancing shoes just yet!” – words that have devotees screaming for more iconic routines like their spine-tingling Couple’s Choice to Radiohead’s Creep, which bagged the series’ first perfect 40.

Fans flooded social media with joy: “Lewis and Katya back together? This is the news we needed after that robbery!” one wrote. Another gushed: “Their chemistry was off the charts – please give us more!” A third added: “Strictly without them feels empty. Tour tickets booked!”

Lewis – who shot to fame as scheming Nicky Miligan in Emmerdale before swapping the Dales for sequins – was a last-minute addition to the 2025 lineup after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out for medical reasons. Paired with veteran Katya in her milestone year, the duo quickly became frontrunners, topping the leaderboard multiple times and delivering history-making moments.

Their Paso Doble earned the earliest 40 in Strictly history (shared), while Blackpool saw them dominate once more. Katya, who won the show in 2017 with Joe McFadden, tearfully called Lewis “one of, if not the best, male celebrity we’ve ever had” after their exit.

The heartbreak came during Musicals Week when, despite a sizzling Salsa, they lost the dance-off to Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Judges unanimously saved the rivals, leaving fans furious and branding it a “fix”. Katya admitted her “heart is broken” and it would “take time to heal”, while Lewis praised her as his “number one”.

But now, with the tour announcement and their Hartlepool workshop tease, hope is restored. The live arena spectacular – hosted by Janette Manrara – will see them perform alongside stars like Layton Williams and finalists from this year. Lewis won’t do every date due to commitments, but fans are thrilled he’ll grace many stages with Katya.

Off the floor, Lewis – from a family of 14 with boxer brothers – has been supported by girlfriend Maya Lopez, who he’s kept private amid the Strictly spotlight. Katya, meanwhile, has had her share of drama over the years but found pure joy with Lewis, calling him “magnificent” and “cut from a different cloth”.

As the current series hurtles towards its final, all eyes are on this dynamic duo’s next chapter. Will we see fresh routines? More perfect scores? One thing’s certain: Lewis and Katya’s story has fans hooked – and it’s far from over.