Strictly Come Dancing’s Ellie Leach and pro partner Vito Coppola continued to fuel romance rumours as they declared their love for one another on Friday.
With the former Corrie actress, 22, and Italian dancer, 31, taking to Instagram with heartfelt tributes, following claims their working relationship had ‘turned personal’.
Vitto marked his first year of living in the UK with a sweet video in which he referred to the actress as ‘My Lulú’ and said he never expected to ‘feel so loved’.
Ellie was then quick to reply writing: ‘Love you love you love you’.
It comes after a source told The Daily Star that the duo’s relationship was ‘bigger than what the camera captures’ with the sparks between them not going unnoticed behind the scenes.
Sweet: Strictly ‘s Ellie Leach, 22, and pro partner Vito Coppola, 31, continued to fuel romance rumours as they declared their love for one another on Friday (pictured in October)
Hot stuff: With the former Corrie actress and Italian dancer taking to Instagram with heartfelt tributes, following claims their working relationship had ‘turned personal’.
Telling the publication: ‘Vito and Ellie’s connection is more than dance showmanship. It’s turned personal, heartfelt, real. There’s a unique glow around them in rehearsals, a palpable warmth’.
Vitto gushed in the video: ‘Just THANK YOU. Sorry for repeating the same thing more times but this is the only way I have to show you all my gratitude and How thankful I am’.
‘One year ago when I moved here to the UK I couldn’t imagine that I would have feel so loved. Thank you thank you thank you very much’.
Then in a special message to Ellie he said: ‘And to you my Lulu… I am so proud of you and you know how much I believe in you’.
‘Just 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’.
Before adding: ‘Have a good rest tonight and make sure you eat properly. See you tomorrow for another beautiful day together’.
It comes after Vito reflected on a ‘dramatic’ week after Ellie accidentally injured him during their performance two weeks ago.
While celebrating their highest mark of the series after scoring 37 for their Paso Doble, she accidentally hit the Italian hunk in the face, leaving him clutching his tooth as she jumped for joy at the scores.
Heartfelt: Vitto marked his first year of living in the UK with a sweet video in which he referred to the actress as ‘My Lulú’ and said he never expected to ‘feel so loved’
Romance? Ellie was then quick to reply writing: ‘Love you love you love you’
Hot stuff: It comes after a source told The Daily Star that the duo’s relationship was ‘bigger than what the camera captures’ with the sparks between them not going unnoticed behind the scenes
Appearing together on It Takes Two host Janette Manrara asked Vito: ‘First of all, how’s your tooth?’
‘My tooth!’ exclaimed Vito. ‘It is good. I was checking my tooth and the inside of the lips, it’s good.’
The soap star then interrupted her partner as she said: ‘You are the most dramatic person I’ve ever met.’
‘Dramatic?’ protested Vito. ‘Last week I almost lost my toe, my big toe, she squeezed so hard it became double the size.
‘The last small finger of the foot became the same size as the toe as she also stepped on that and after this [points to his tooth]. What is next? Yesterday I almost lost my ear because I fell.’
Joking that Ellie wants to get Vito into shape, Janette then offered the professional dancer a gift to prevent him from suffering from any more mouth injuries.
She said: ‘We know you guys are quite physical, it sounds like, in rehearsals. So just to help you protect yourself, make sure you put these on.’
Janette then gave Vito a glitter-covered sparkly gum shield, as Vito exclaimed: ‘I love this!’
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Angela Rippon
Age: 78
Profession: Journalist
Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’
Amanda Abbington
Age: 49
Profession: Actress
Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Age: 53
Profession: Journalist
Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’
Eddie Kadi
Age: 40
Profession: Comedian and radio presenter
Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.
Angela Scanlon
Age: 39
Profession: TV presenter
Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’
Zara McDermott
Age: 26
Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star
Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’
Adam Thomas
Age: 34
Profession: Actor and presenter
Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Nigel Harman
Age: 49
Profession: Actor
Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
