Strictly dancer Vito Coppola's love life amid Ellie Leach 'romance'
Vito Coppola has been heating up the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor – thanks to his dance skills and the romantic rumours that follow him with every hop, skip and quickstep.
The 31-year-old Italian dance professional has featured on the long-running BBC talent show since 2022, having previously won the Italian version of the programme, titled Ballando con le Stelle, in 2021. The dance sensation has set pulses racing with his passionate dance routines and perchance for his penchant for flashing his rippling muscles for all to see.
But, away from the dance floor, the choreographer has kept his personal life close to his chest – only for the rumour mill to explode as a consequence as dance fans speculate if he is single or taken. The 2023 season of Strictly took speculation to a whole new level as his intimate routines with his dance partner Ellie Leach has set tongues wagging.
In the past, Vito has been linked to a pop star, a TV presenter, and now a soap actress as he continues to hypnotise ladies across Europe. Here is a look at some of the women Vito has been linked to in the past as we examine his dating history.
Vito Coppola rose to fame on Ballando con le Stelle in Italy (Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
He won the show with pop singer Arisa in 2021 - and the pair shared a romance (Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)Pop singer Arisa
When Vito won Ballando con le Stelle in 2021, it was thanks to having Italian pop singer Arisa at his side. The dance pro and the 41-year-old singer – whose real name is Rosalba Pippa – hit it off on stage as well as behind-the-scenes and it wasn’t long before reports emerged that the pair were dating.
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But, after a year of being together, the romance reportedly fizzled out – with the Italian press claiming the pair couldn’t work things out after going through a “rocky patch”. Vito addressed the break up in local news, telling reporters: “We have remained on good terms, but ours is only a friendly one. We are not a couple, we are not talking about coexistence: today we are not together.”
While Arisa herself also addressed the failed romance, saying: "My heart went through a very hard time for the first time in my life, shed many tears and fought with the obsession of an idea that stole my smile for months. A circular thought, made up of sleepless nights, as if I had a strange fever that too away my hunger and desire for anything.
"I’m better now. I understood that I had never felt true love before and I discovered that I was able to give so much. I don’t care about the outcome. I’m proud of myself and would do it again a thousand times."
Vito was paired with Fleur East on Strictly in 2022... (BBC/Guy Levy)
...but it was co-star Helen Skelton who he reportedly had his eye on (PA)TV presenter Helen Skelton
During his debut season on Strictly, Vito was paired with pop singer Fleur East, 36 – and the pair managed to dance all the way to the final together where they ended in second place. Another contestant in the 2022 season was 40-year-old Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton, who herself was paired with Spanish dance hunk Gorka Márquez, 33.
While Vito and Helen may not have been dancing together on-screen, reports have suggested the two had sparks behind-the-scenes of the BBC show. Helen was mending a broken heart during her time on Strictly, having recently been dumped by her rugby player husband Richie Myler, 33, before her time on the show.
And it seems Vito may have offered a shoulder for Helen to cry on – and the pair grew even closer during the Strictly tour earlier this year. A source claimed: "[Vito and Helen] were good friends during Strictly, but really bonded on tour."
"There were two buses for the cast – the party bus and the quiet bus. They [Helen and Vito] spent a lot of time chatting on the quiet bus and getting to know each other… Then, if the whole group went for dinner, they would sit together, deep in conversation." However, nothing came of the reports.
Vito and Ellie Leach have fuelled romance rumours throughout the 2023 season (BBC)Soap star Ellie Leach
Strictly fans in 2023 have been gripped by the energy between Vito and he celebrity partner Ellie Leach – with rumours flying the pair have become more than just friends during their time on the show. The dance expert and the 22-year-old Coronation Street actress have shimmied their way through electrifying performances on the show, with routines often ending with them kissing each other affectionately.
The couple themselves seem to be working hard to dismiss the suggestion of a romance – with Vito recently downplaying a kiss he planted on the soap star as a mere example of his acting skills, saying playing a “character” during his routines helps him “to dance”. And Ellie has also tried to downplay the suggestion of a bubbling romance.
Hitting out at suggestions the pair have been passionately kissing, she laughed to OK!: "It was only a kiss on the cheek… He gives me a kiss on the cheek every Saturday! It was definitely on the cheek."
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Ellie has also explained that Vito has been getting on well with her family. She told Closer: "You've been round quite a few times for tea after training. We spend so much time rehearsing together, so it's nice that they can get to know him more. He's part of the family."
The pair were later accused of putting on a 'showmance' in a bid to get votes. The source alleged to The Sun: "He and Ellie had an instant friendship and a great connection, but it definitely wasn’t sexual." Coronation Street actress has since addressed the claims. While remaining coy, Ellie revealed she and Vito are focused on their routines despite the pair growing close each week. She said: "There is always speculation about the couples on Strictly. But honestly we are just so busy dancing."
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