Lewis Cope's lovely final message as he was voted off BBC Strictly Come Dancing

Sunday's episode of Strictly Come Dancing saw actor Lewis Cope leave the show after he was voted off by the judges. Lewis made it through 11 weeks of the BBC show and won rave reviews from the judges and the public.

But he found himself in the dance off with Welsh performer Amber Davies and narrowly lost out in the judge's vote, leaving the show on Sunday night with a lovely message thanking his dance partner, Katya Jones. The pair had earlier danced the salsa to Dance At The Gym from West Side Story. 

The experience has been more than he "could have ever wished for", said the soap star as he gave a heartfelt message as he thanked his dance partner Katya.

He said: "It has been like, more than I could have ever wished for. If someone had said that I would have done 11 weeks on the show at the beginning, I would have been over the moon and snapped their hand off.

"So thank you to the full show and to everyone for having such a space where people can grow, learn and express themselves, it has been incredible and will be a memory that I will have for the rest of my life. And [addressing dancing partner Katya] it is all down to you.

"You've given me everything I could have wished for as a friend and a teacher, I couldn't imagine it with anyone else so thank you very much."

Katya then shared her lovely message to him saying: "I think you have created so many moments for Strictly that will be in the history books. You will be remembered as one of, if not the best male celebrity we have ever had on the show. But also you will be remembered for an incredible person you are, that kind and genuine people still exist and what a gentleman you are. So humble, so kind and I'm so glad that we had a chance to see you and to showcase your talent and what a beautiful person you are to the world."

Asked about the support he had from Hartlepool, Lewis said: "What is life without people and I've seen how this show has brought people together. It seems to lift people up and it has definitely brought my family for generations together every Saturday night.

"Young boys who thought dancing wasn't accessible to them have started dancing now and sent us videos and stuff like that. If you can change one person's life like that, then that's enough."