Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope has been announced as the latest celebrity contestant on Strictly Come Dancing as a last-minute replacement.

It was announced after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn, best known for playing Hodor in the HBO fantasy series Game Of Thrones said that with a "heavy heart" he was stepping back due to "unexpected medical reasons".

Announcing his participation on BBC's The One Show, 30-year-old Cope, from Hartlepool, said the programme had got in contact on Monday asking if he wanted to join this year’s series.

✨ Actor Lewis Cope is trading the........

© South Wales Argus