Strictly Come Dancing champions Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola showed off their matching tattoos as romance speculation between the winner and Bobby Brazier continued to swirl.
They got the body art as a symbol of their blossoming bond since they first met before last year's BBC dance success. They had recently hinted at plans to forever mark their incredible journey and they have followed through on the promise as they went under the needle.
Vito, the 31-year-old Italian, explained their unique choice for the tattoo while heading to Nicola Oprey's studio in Liverpool. "It is going to be a bee with an aubergine body," he said, sporting a wide smile. He excitedly showed off the finished tattoo boasting the word "resilience". Next, Coronation Street star Ellie, 22, flashed her tongue, excited about her new tattoo.
The friends posed together grinning as they brought back memories months after the show ended. All this comes just as rumours swirl around Ellie potentially getting closer to EastEnders actor Bobby, 20. The celebrity dancers are said to have started spending a lot more time together during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour, which has been headed all around the country.
Continuing to fuel speculation with selfies of them cuddling up together on the tour bus, Bobby was also pictured wearing Ellie's scarf. At the weekend, reports emerged claiming that Bobby was spotted standing outside Ellie's hotel room door during the group's stay at the Malmaison Hotel in Birmingham.
Corrie's Sue Cleaver says I'm A Celebrity stint helped her to push boundariesIt has also been claimed that they've been seen holding hands on the tour bus and have even shared a "cheeky snog" in view of others. Ellie and Bobby allegedly first noticed a romantic spark after a performance in Birmingham, before they spent the night partying together. It was claimed that the pair had also enjoyed a secret trip to Nando's during a break on the Strictly tour in Sheffield.
Insiders claimed that the Strictly Come Dancing cast had attended a tour party in the hotel bar downstairs. The following morning, Bobby was allegedly spotted on the sixth floor in his pants. A hotel guest told The Sun: "Bobby was in our corridor knocking on Ellie's door after their late-night bash at the hotel. Bobby was clearly not shy about nearly being in the buff as we were making our way down to breakfast," the onlooker added at the time.