Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach struggled to hold back the tears as she told her rumoured boyfriend Vito Coppola how much he means to her after they lifted the glitterball trophy.
The former Coronation Street star became the youngest winner of the BBC dancing competition at the age of 22 on Saturday night (December 16). After she and her dance partner were crowned the series winners, the actress confessed that “words cannot describe” how she was feeling after she lifted the trophy.
She also went on to gush about her incredible time on the show which had been “so special” and credited the Italian hunk for their success because he was “such a great teacher.” The soap star sobbed: “Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now, and I cannot believe we have just won Strictly Come Dancing 2023.
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“It’s been a life changing opportunity and I've had the time of my life dancing with Vito every week. It has been so special and to be able to do it with such a great teacher has made it an experience I will never forget.
“Thank you so much for that Vito and thank you for finding the dancer in me. We couldn’t have won without the voting public so a huge thank you to everyone at home who picked up the phone for us, we appreciate every single one of you!”
Elie went on: “Finally a big congratulations to all the finalists and all the 2023 cast who are incredible and came alongside this journey with me.” Meanwhile her pro dancer Vito gushed: “This is unbelievable, thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, we love you and it means the world to us!
“Ellie, my Lulu. I am so, so proud of you. I have seen how hard you have worked, the dedication and determination you have shown and how much you have grown as a person these past three months.
“We’ve had the best time dancing together, and I've enjoyed every second of it! Thank you for being the best dance partner and thank you to everyone who has supported us each week and voted for us!”
The audience cheered as Tess Daly and Claudian Winkleman crowned them this year’s winners, much to the surprise of many viewers tuning in at home. The pair suffered a major mistake during their second routine which put their odds at winning slim to none.
But the pair won over the hearts of the nation and beat Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin and EastEnders star Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell. The TV star was lost for words when her name was shouted out, while Vito sobbed as he praised the actress after a stellar night of performances.
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Lost for words, Ellie gushed: “I actually, genuinely cannot believe this” as Vito broke down, fuming: “Don’t talk to me.” An amused Ellie gushed: “This is the first time I have seen him cry, for once you’re crying more than me so this is for you, this is for you.”
Vito added: “I mean this is the cherry on the cake… the point of the iceberg, you have been so amazing, you are Strictly, you represent Strictly. You are the diamond shining… you are amazing, I am so proud.”
The brunette beauty later made the most of their win by partying the night away at a star-studded BBC afterparty with the other series stars. Vito was noticeably nowhere to be seen as a bleary-eyed Ellie went home with friends and family as she proudly clutched onto the Glitterball trophy.
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