Another year, another Strictly Come Dancing romance!
The 2023 Strictly series has been a rollercoaster, from Amanda Abbington sensationally leaving early to fans thinking Bobby Brazier tried to kiss Dianne Buswell during their steamy dance, to heavy speculation a new couple had been formed.
Strictly pro Vito Coppola, 31, and former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, 22, have always had serious chemistry on the dance floor, but rumours began their partnership had turned into something more.
This appeared to be confirmed by Sherlock star Amanda, who labelled them the most ‘beautiful couple’ in a comment on social media.
Vito himself also gave more than a few major hints there was more than just friendship between himself and Ellie.
So if you’re down this rabbit hole and trying to figure out if there’s a new Strictly relationship on the cards, here are all the clues Vito Coppola and Ellie Leach are in a relationship.
October 1 – Vito calls Ellie his ‘baby’ in loving post
That’s right, this goes all the way back to the start of October.
As Strictly Come Dancing 2023 was properly kicking off, Vito shared a photo of himself and Ellie making shapes on the dancefloor, and wrote: ‘Thanks to my Lulú, my baby.
‘You are making me so proud. Every day I discover a new part of you…Thank you for allowing me to see it.’
Ellie’s response in the comments was just as adorable, as she thanked him ‘for allowing me to be 100% myself and for putting all your hard work into our routines.
‘I’m so lucky that you are my partner, I am at my happiest when dancing on that dancefloor with you.’
October 2 – Vito and Ellie share their love for each other once again
Just a day after his first loving post, Vito shared a video thanking everyone for their support as they took part in the competition – and as he marked the anniversary of his move to the UK.
He addressed Ellie in his post, writing: ‘To you my Lulú.. I am so proud of you and you know How much I believe in you so just keep going and keep working hard as you are already doing every day.
‘You are doing great baby Have a good rest tonight and make sure you eat properly. See you tomorrow for another beautiful day together.’
As if that wasn’t ridiculously cute enough, Ellie responded: ‘love you love you love you,’ with a series of love heart emojis.
November 7 – Amanda Abbington appears to spill the beans
After a weekend of dancing, Ellie shared a snap to Instagram showing one of her and Vito’s performances where they were looking into each other’s eyes.
She captioned the post: ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a magical night, we are so grateful for all of your support and we’re soooo happy to be through to another week on that Strictly dancefloor.’
Her post was met with many messages of support from fans and fellow contestants alike, including Amanda, who may have accidentally confirmed the pair are more than friends.
‘Stunning. So proud of the both of you. You are the most beautiful couple,’ she wrote alongside a series of love hearts.
November 7 – Vito kisses Ellie on live TV
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Yep, the same day as Amanda calls them a ‘beautiful couple,’ Vito planted a kiss on Ellie during a live TV interview/
The pair appeared on BBC’s The One Show, where they were asked by Lauren Laverne what they thought of the predictions they were giving off ‘final vibes.’
In response, Vito became extremely animated, planted a kiss on Ellie’s heeck and gave her a big hug as he showered her with compliments.
‘Honestly, we don’t really think about the final as a final – we want to live and enjoy every single week, [doing] baby steps, small but solid, and [if] it comes, it comes,’ the Italian dancer told Lauren and co-host Ronan Keating.
‘But otherwise, we are very happy [with] what we are doing. We are having our proper journey, like a rollercoaster, and it’s amazing.’
November 8 – Vito’s smouldering selfie
On Wednesday Vito gave the biggest hint yet that he and Ellie are in the midst of a romance, as he labelled her his ‘baby’ yet again in a deeply flirtatious post online.
Taking to Instagram, he shared a black-and-white photo of himself, arm thrown back over his head, leaning back on a couch, wearing a white vest and staring down into the camera.
Alongside the brooding snap, he wrote: ‘Just finished another day of rehearsal … well done to my baby @ellielouiseleach.’
If the rumour mill wasn’t already whirring, it was absolutely buzzing after that post.
October 9 – Vito appears to tease the Ellie romance rumours
On Thursday morning Vito sent things even further with a cuddly video with Ellie ahead of rehearsals.
The selfie-style video saw the pair pressed close together to get into the camera, Ellie grinning like mad as Vito kept an arm around her shoulders.
He teased her about her own Instagram story where she dipped her croissant into her coffee on his advice, saying ‘you make me really proud.’
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Vito then appeared to tease the romance rumours, telling Ellie ‘it’s time to do a good rumour.
‘If you want to make me even more proud, I want a good standing leg, pointing the toes. Push from the standing leg.’
As he spoke, he zoomed up constantly on Ellie’s face until her teeth filled the screen, before the pair broke apart laughing.
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Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One
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MORE: Amanda Abbington ‘confirms’ a Strictly romance
MORE: Strictly star kisses partner live on TV after Amanda Abbington ‘confirms’ rumours
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