29 January 2024 , 22:04
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Ellie Leach has been snapped looking downcast and stressed after her secret romance with Strictly Come Dancing co-star Bobby Brazier was unveiled.
The 24-year-old former Coronation Street star won the long-running BBC dance show last month alongside professional dancer Vito Coppola, 33. And while the star was romantically linked to Vito throughout their time on the show, it seems a romance blossomed between her and 20-year-old EastEnders star Bobby instead.
Last week, reports emerged that Ellie and Bobby had enjoyed a string of secret dates. And now Ellie has been snapped in Liverpool - where the cast of the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing Live! Tour have descended ahead of their latest live shows this week.
Ellie and Bobby have reportedly grown close during the Strictly Live tour (Instagram/ @ellielouiseleach)
Ellie and Vito Coppola recently confessed they are just friends (Instagram/@ellielouiseleach)In images obtained by The Sun, the soap star looked strained as she left her hotel in the northern city.
Ellie had her hair tied into a tight bun and she was biting down on her lips as she stepped outdoors. Another snap showed the actress looking tense on the phone while Vito was standing beside her with his arms crossed. While rumours swirled that Vito and Ellie were falling for each other during their time on Strictly, they have since declared that they are mere friends.
EastEnders' Jake Wood's snap of son has fans pointing out the pair's likeness
Vito told the Mirror earlier this month: "We have a great relationship and honestly when you just find people, not just me and Ellie but their family which I love. You just find these people that you think are going to stay in my life forever, in each other's lives forever. And all the family and the dogs."
And Ellie confirmed he meant as friends, saying: "Yes as good friends." She has since been linked to Bobby. Last week a source told The Sun that Ellie and Bobby had grown close while on the road as part of the current Strictly Live tour. They claimed: “Their friendship has grown and grown, and they’ve been spending nearly all their free time together before and after performances.”
The source added: "They’ve been having their meals together, and flirting increasingly openly. The chat on tour is they may have enjoyed a cheeky snog, and will go public with their romance any week now."
Meanwhile, Ellie’s ex-boyfriend Reagan Pettman stunned fans over the weekend when he publicly declared he wanted to win her back after destroying her trust by cheating on her. He told The Sun on Sunday: “I hurt her and broke her heart. I’m not proud of it. It sounds cliché but I was really drunk and it all happened at once.
“I knew what I had done was wrong and instantly regretted it. I want to rebuild the trust again and for her to be back in my life.” He went on to declare that he would be happy for Ellie if she has found love with Bobby instead - but added: "I really miss her.”