24 November 2023 , 20:17
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Vito Coppola has bluntly dismissed affectionate kisses he showered on dance partner Ellie Leach during their most recent Strictly Come Dancing performance - saying he was only acting.
The 31-year-old Italian dance professional and 22-year-old Coronation Street actress Ellie have been tearing up the dance floor throughout the 2023 season of Strictly - and have even leapfrogged actor Layton Williams and his dance partner Nikita Kuzmin to become the favourites to win the show. The duo have worked up a sweat on the BBC dance show - and sparked furious speculation that they could be growing close thanks to their sizzling and erotic performances.
During Saturday night’s show, Vito and Ellie performed a breathtaking Charleston to the sound of Girls Aloud's song Love Machine and in a set resembling a funfair. And while the dance climaxed with Vito affectionately kissing Ellie’s cheeks while fireworks flared behind them, he has downplayed the suggestion that there could have been real romance behind the intimate kisses.
Vito and Ellie appeared on companion show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on Friday evening where show host Janette Manrara, 40, brought up the Blackpool week performance. Joking that Vito deserved an Oscar for his acting skills, she then asked: “How much does getting into character help you with the dance?”
Vito Coppola and Ellie Leach were guests on Friday's Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two (BBC)A laughing Vito then said: “It helps me a lot because I was there, full of teddy bears, and I was like ‘Choose me please! Choose me!’ And, by the way, you didn’t choose me.” Ellie was watching Vito closely as he replied, and confirmed “No” when he mentioned that she didn’t chose him during their performance.
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Vito’s comments undermine the growing speculation that his relationship with Ellie could be more than strictly professional as they often end their dances with romantic gestures and kisses - hinting it has all been an act. Indeed, Janette went on to raise the point that the duo often appear intimately close when they are on the dance floor as the interview progressed.
But Ellie hinted that there is zero romance between them when they are dancing skin to skin - as Vito’s bodily functions ruin the moment. She said: “Well, Vito knows that he burps a lot. In my face!”
Vito has hinted he's only acting when he kisses Ellie on stage (BBC)Protesting his innocence, Vito then said: “It’s not a conscious reaction of my body… my mouth is closed. It’s an inside one!” But Ellie hit back, saying: “It’s a burp! It’s a burp! It’s still a burp!”
Earlier in the day, Vito and Ellie drove fans wild when they shared romantic looking photos of themselves via snail media - fuelling speculation they are secretly dating even further. Vito wrote in the announcement: "'Live the present and be grateful for what you have in life. Be happy for waking up every morning and appreciate the small things. This makes the real Happiness.' These are the words that Lulú and I keep repeating to each other #positivevibes #happiness."
Ellie, who shared the same post to her main Instagram grid, added: "always live in the present and appreciate the little things. [love heart emoji]. so lucky and grateful for this experience with you xxx." Fans will already know Ellie split from her boyfriend, Reagan Pettman, back in May. While Vito is reported to be single.