Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday and romance rumours have already began to circulate between Ellie Leach and her partner Vito Coppola.
The Coronation Street actress was overjoyed in last week’s show when the contestants partners were revealed, and have been busy rehearsing for their first dance, the jive.
And there seems to already be a flirty vibe between the pair as the 22-year-old gushed that Vito is the ‘most genuine and loving person ever, ever’ and gives ‘the best cuddles.’
Speaking to The Sun, the actress expressed her excitement for the series, telling Vito: ‘You are the most genuine and loving person ever, ever.
‘You give the best cuddles and I’m excited to see the bonds that we build over the course of our Strictly journey’.
Is love in the air? Strictly star Ellie Leach, 22, has sparked romance rumours with her partner Vito Coppola, 30, after her split from her cheating boyfriend earlier this year
Excited: The Coronation Street actress was overjoyed in last week’s show when the contestants partner’s were revealed and are busy rehearsing for their first dance, the jive
The show has become known for the infamous Strictly curse which has led to break ups as well as new romances, with some even resulting in marriage and Strictly babies.
Excited to take to the floor on Saturday, the two chatted about their training, revealing Ellie is suffering physically in the rehearsal room.
The star explained that she bruises very easily and is already covered in bruises, but sees the injuries as ‘part of our journey.’
Vito joked: ‘Sometimes you take the arms and you lift, and then you say “oh I got this bruise becuase of the lift” and I said it almost make me so proud.’
The former Coronation Street actress called it quits with her boyfriend in May this year, amid claims he cheated on her.
The soap star dated dancer Reagan Pettman for five years but reportedly took ‘time to reflect which direction her life is going in’ after leaving Corrie.
She joined the cast of Strictly to heal her heartbreak following her break up and sources have revealed that the show has helped the former Coronation Street star put a smile back on her face.
According to The Mirror, a source said: ‘She learned that Reagan had gone behind her back, and they split up. It was very sad, but for her the trust was gone and there was no way back for them as a couple.
Goofing around: Ellie told The Sun that Vito is ‘most genuine and loving person ever, ever’ and gives ‘the best cuddles’
Injuries: Ellie explained that she bruises very easily and is already covered in bruises, but sees the injuries as ‘part of our journey’
Healing: Ellie split with her beau (pictured) back in May over ‘cheating’ allegations
‘Ellie is a really positive person and always has a smile on her face – but it’s been a difficult time. That’s why it was brilliant that she has landed Strictly, it has really given her something to smile about.’
Vito is also reportedly single after enjoying some low-key dates with presenter Helen Skelton back in March.
The pair grew close on the Strictly Come Dancing tour and were said to have ‘bonded’ as they travelled on the tour bus between cities.
Screen star Helen has been single since she split from her rugby player ex-husband Richie Myler, 32, shortly before the start of Strictly last year, with the sportsman leaving the family home not long after they welcomed their third child.
A source told the Mirror: ‘Helen and Vito were good friends during Strictly, but really bonded on tour.
‘There were two buses for the cast – the party bus and the quiet bus.
‘They spent a lot of time chatting on the quiet bus and getting to know each other. They have a lot in common – a love of the outdoors, for example.
‘Between shows they also spent time together one-on-one, like going for coffee, just the two of them.
‘Then, if the whole group went for dinner, they would sit together, deep in conversation.’
Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
