The Emmerdale star will enter the famous ballroom when Strictly returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September

Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope has been announced as a contestant for Strictly Come Dancing after Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn withdrew from the series. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn has been forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing before the BBC dance show has even got underway. Nairn, who played Hodor in HBO’s fantasy franchise, has had to quit the UK’s version of Dancing With The Stars for medical reasons.