Strictly Come Dancing favourite Lewis Cope has sent Emmerdale fans into overdrive after teasing a possible return to the Dales — and his three-word response has everyone talking.
From the Dales to the Dance Floor
Lewis Cope has been dazzling audiences on Strictly this season, impressing the judges with his confident footwork and undeniable charm. Paired with professional dancer Katya Jones, Cope earned a perfect 10 during Movie Week, leaving both the panel and viewers “speechless.”
But while Lewis is thriving on the dance floor, soap fans remember him best as Nicky Miligan, the conflicted son of Caleb Milligan (William Ash) and secret lover of Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham).
Nicky Miligan’s Turbulent Story
Nicky made his Emmerdale debut in December 2022, entering the village under the guise of Gabby’s new nanny. But it wasn’t long before viewers discovered his shocking secret — he was Caleb’s son, planted to help sabotage Kim Tate (Claire King) and bring down her Home Farm empire.
After his web of lies was exposed, Nicky left the village alongside his boyfriend, Suni Sharma (Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana), in search of a quieter life. But his exit never felt final, and fans have long speculated that he might someday return to face his family — or even seek revenge.
“Never Say Never”
Speaking at the Pride of Britain Awards, Cope revealed to RadioTimes.com that he hasn’t ruled out a comeback. “Nicky can come back at any point,” he said. “His family is still in there. It was a brilliant, brilliant job for me.”
Reflecting fondly on his time in the soap, he added, “I loved being there. Everyone’s so lovely, and they’ve been so supportive of this [Strictly] as well. So, you never know what’s going to happen in the future.”
When pressed on whether he’d return to the ITV soap, Cope simply smiled and replied: “Never say never.”
Could Nicky Return to Emmerdale?
With Caleb still stirring up trouble and tensions rising within the Dingle clan, the timing could be perfect for Nicky’s reappearance. Whether as a reformed man or as someone ready to challenge his father’s empire, Nicky’s return would certainly shake up the village — especially if he crossed paths with Gabby or Suni again.
Fans have already taken to social media to speculate about possible storylines, with one writing: “If Nicky comes back, I hope he’s got unfinished business with Caleb. That dynamic was too good to waste!”
For now, Lewis Cope remains focused on his Strictly journey — but his words suggest that Nicky Miligan’s story may not be over just yet.
