11 November 2023 , 17:30
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Ellie Leach has a secret real-life relative from Coronation Street.
The Strictly Come Dancing star, who is one of nine celebrities still in this year's competition, is actually related to her on-screen mum from Coronation Street. The 22-year-old actress' cousin is soap star Brooke Vincent.
Ellie, who found fame on Corrie aged 10, left the show earlier this year to pursue other opportunities. Her older cousin Brooke also starred in Coronation Street for 15 years before leaving in 2019 to start a family with footballer Kean Bryan.
Ellie has a real-life relative from Coronation Street (BBC)Despite their eight-year age difference, Ellie and Brooke share a close bond. Brooke, who is the mother to sons Mexx and Monroe, has been supporting Ellie at the Elstree Studios every Saturday night.
Ellie has often called herself Brooke's "mini-me". In a heartfelt message for Brooke's 30th birthday last year, the Faye Windass actress wrote: "All I've wanted to do since I was younger is be like you. To dress like you, to have my hair the way you have yours, to wear them 7-inch platform heels you wore, which I still have no idea how, but most of all to be the kind of person you are."
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Brooke also organised a surprise gathering for Ellie and her loved ones when she decided to leave Corrie for Strictly. The 31-year-old has been with Ellie throughout her Coronation Street journey, always ready to offer advice to her younger cousin.
As Ellie prepared to leave Corrie, she shared with OK! and other press members the advice that Brooke had given her when she was just 10. Ellie said: "She was like, be yourself, everyone will love you, and that's what I've done."
"I've just been myself, and that is why I have been here so long, I've been myself, but also, I made this part of me, and that will never go away. Corrie and Faye Windass will always be a part of me."
Ellie shared the screen with her real life cousin Brooke Vincent while acting on Coronation Street (Getty Images)
Brooke Vincent played Sophie Webster for 18 years on Corrie (Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images)It comes as Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola have been surrounded by rumours of a romance ever since the show started. She and the Italian champion, 31, are among the favourites to lift the Glitterball trophy thanks to their sizzling chemistry and fancy footwork. Viewers are convinced they're an item, especially after Sherlock star, Amanda Abbington, who left the show last month, sent fans into a frenzy when she referred to the pair as a "beautiful couple" at the weekend.
Ellie called it quits with her boyfriend in May while Vito is also said to be single after reportedly enjoying some low-key dates with presenter Helen Skelton back in March. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, during a recent live show, one viewer noted: "Ellie and Vito keep turning up to #ItTakesTwo in the same clothes.
"I'm expecting the paparazzi shot of them kissing any day now." Another fan said: "Ellie and Vito in their adorable matching outfits again," while a third added: "Think Ellie & Vito must have texted each other. More or less dressed the same."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]