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Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova
Updated 15th March 2021
Strictly Come Dancing’s most successful couple….
Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova are the most successful male and female professionals in the history of Strictly Come Dancing, having starred in 6 series and won 7 Trophies between them!
Now, they are known across the globe as Judges & Choreographers for Strictly spin off shows “Dancing with the stars” – Lilia as head judge on the Turkish version Yok Böyle Dans and Darren as head judge & choreographer on the Lebanese version of Strictly.
Darren and Lilia are currently Creative Producers & Choreographers of the hugely successful 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 Dancing With The Stars TV Series Ireland.
In July 1997 Darren and Lilia were introduced to each other, competing in their first competitive competition together after just 5 weeks!
Read more about Darren & Lilia’s glittering dance achievements, view photos & merchandise, plus catch up on all their latest news below
5* Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing
Who better to teach you to dance than the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.
Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th July 2021
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales
Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort.
Join Anton Du Beke, Erin Boag, Giovanni Pernice, Ian Waite, Amy Dowden, Ben Jones, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce plus Strictly’s Argentine Tango choreographers Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani.
Darren & Lilia’s – Reviews of Donahey’s Dance Weekends
Darren & Lilia have attended many of Donahey’s 4* Weekend Breaks, here’s what they think…
‘We’ve had great feedback from a lot of people about your event, it was a fantastic weekend’ Darren Bennett & Lilia Kopylova
Lilia Kopylova – Winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2005
Age 42 – Born 18 June 1978
Height 5′ 3″
Married
Lilia Kopylova stared dancing at the age of 4, firstly as an ice dancer competing throughout Russia (then USSR) becoming Moscow state champion.
Later after discovering Ballroom and Latin American dancing at the age of 9, Lilia competed at all levels becoming Russian Champion in all grades.
Together they won the International and British Youth Championships, winning every dance. They continued to have a fantastic amateur career winning 4 British amateur championships, 3 UK championships and represented Great Britain at World and European championships until they turned professional.
Turning Professional in 2003 together they won the British Rising Star Professional Championships at their first attempt beating 250 couples to this prestigious title. They continued their success making the final of the Italian & Dutch Opens and World Masters. Within their first year of being professional they achieved a ranking in the top 6 of the World Series. In 2004 they made the final of the World Championships and became members of the British Team.
In July of 2004 their careers changed forever when they were asked if they would like to take part in the Strictly Come Dancing, having been unavailable for the first series they took up the offer and never looked back.
2005 was another amazing year, Darren and Lilia continued with their competitive careers which saw them becoming British National Champions after being placed first in all 5 dances as well as Uk professional Latin Champions, European Professional finalists and member of the British team.
In 2006 they retained their British National title, and in 2007 Darren and Lilia decided to concentrate on their show Career which was now in full swing and made the hard choice to no longer compete at world level.
Lilia dancing with Aled Jones were the fan’s favourites winning the phone vote for 6 weeks but were knocked out at the semi final. Darren went on to present at the Royal Variety Show that year meeting Prince Charles and performing with Michael Buble on stage.
A return to Strictly Come Dancing soon followed, this time not to be outdone, Lilia waltzed off with the title while partnering cricketing star Darren Gough, after which they also went on to win the International Christmas special.
Darren Bennett – Winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2004
Age 43 – Born 14 February 1977
Married
Darren Bennett started dancing at the young age of 6 at his parents dance studio and he soon knew dance was the career he wanted to follow. As a young competitive dancer Darren represented Great Britain at World and European championships quickly rising through the ranks of juvenile, junior and youth being a champion in each level.
At his first attempt Darren dancing together with Jill Halfpenny from Eastenders won Strictly Come Dancing and then went on to win the Champion of Champions dance off. Darren’s third participation in Strictly saw them achieve astounding success with both Darren and Lilia battling it out in the semi-finals Darren with spice girl Emma Bunton and Lilia with Rugby legend Matt Dawson making it again to the final where they were narrowly defeated by Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy.
Returning to Strictly for a 4th time Darren was paired with another Eastender’s star Letitia Dean and after a disastrous start they recovered and Darren took Letitia to the quarter final.
BBC Strictly Come Dancing
Find out more information about the BBC TV programme Strictly Come Dancing
by checking out the BBC Strictly Come Dancing website
www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing
Find out more about BBC Strictly Come Dancing stars
Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova, checkout there website
www.darrenandlilia.com
Donahey’s Dance Lessons & UK Weekend Breaks are not associated with the BBC.
Meet all the Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancers
Learn more about all your favourite Strictly Pro’s here;
– Aljaz Skorjanec
– Amy Dowden
– Anton du Beke
– Dianne Buswell
– Giovanni Pernice
– Gorka Marquez
– Graziano di Prima
– Janette Manrara
– Johannes Radebe
– Karen Hauer
– Katya Jones
– Kevin Clifton
– Luba Mushtuk
– Nadiya Bychkova
– Nancy Xu
– Neil Jones
– Oti Mabuse
– Pasha Kovalov
