Ellie Leach and her dancing partner Vito Coppola continued to spark relationship rumours as they departed rehearsals together on Tuesday.
The Strictly Come Dancing duo, who soared to the top of the leaderboard last week, looked happier than ever as they headed home after their romance was ‘confirmed’.
The Coronation Street star, 22, appeared to be in great spirits as she was pictured giggling in hysterics with Vito.
However, this time the couple decided to walk at least a meter apart following their cosy display outside rehearsals on Monday.
The actress wore a comfy black loungewear set under a beige parka jacket, teamed with stylish Ugg shoes and a khaki camouflaged bag.
Couple: Ellie Leach, 22, and her dancing partner Vito Coppola, 31, continued to spark relationship rumours as they departed rehearsals together on Tuesday
Departing: The Strictly Come Dancing duo, who soared to the top of the leaderboard last week, looked happier than ever as they headed home after their romance was ‘confirmed’
Meanwhile Vito, 31, who was glued to his phone after a gruelling day of rehearsals, looked trendy in black jeans and a hoodie.
Ellie and Vito topped the leaderboard with their stunning ballroom dance over the weekend, and the judges were quick to tip the pair to go all the way to the final.
Hours earlier, former Strictly star Amanda Abbington seemingly confirmed the romance rumours between Ellie and her pro partner Vito.
Just days earlier the dancing duo declared their love for each other in gushing social media tributes amid reports ‘sparks are flying’ behind the scenes.
And Amanda, who quit the BBC show last month, appeared to let the cat out of the bag as she took to Instagram on Sunday, referring to the pair ‘the most beautiful couple’.
Ellie shared a snap of hers and Vito’s latest performance which she branded as a ‘magical night’ as they topped the leaderboard for a second time.
Writing: ‘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 dance floor’.
Fans and famous friends rushed in their droves to praise the pair with former co-star Amanda commenting: ‘Stunning. So proud of the both of you. You are the most beautiful couple!’.
Beaming: The Coronation Street star appeared to be in great spirits as she was pictured giggling in hysterics with Vito
Riding high! The duo topped the leaderboard once again during Saturday’s show with an American Smooth
Oops: Letting the cat out of the bag, Amanda took to Instagram, referring to the pair ‘the most beautiful couple’.
Wow! Former Corrie actress Ellie shared a snap of hers and Vito’s latest performance which she branded as a ‘magical night’ as they topped the leaderboard for a second time
Amazing night: Writing: ‘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 dance floor’
MailOnline contacted Ellie and Vito’s reps for comment at the time.
Ellie and Vito achieved a near-perfect score of 39 as they performed the American Smooth to Robbie Williams hit Ain’t That Kick In the Head on Saturday.
Following their performance, judge Craig Revel Horwood noted that Ellie had gone from ‘strength to strength’ in the show before giving out a score of nine, whilst Motsi Mabuse predicted the routine could send them into the final.
Head judge Shirley Ballas called them ‘finalist material’ and Anton Du Beke labelled their routine ‘joyous’.
Ahead of the show the dup took 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: Ahead of the show the dup took to Instagram with heartfelt tributes, following claims their working relationship had ‘turned personal’ (pictured in October)
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’
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’.
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.’
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!’
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.’
