Ellie Leach slams Vito Coppola critics as she fires back at romance rumours
Ellie Leach has hit out at the romance rumours she faced with Vito Coppola.
The soap star, 22, was paired with the professional dancer, 31, during the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing. They hit it off immediately with their racy dances and sweet behind-the-scenes connection. It left many fans speculating the pair were dating as they gushed over each other and even shared kisses on the dancefloor.
However, ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour both Ellie and Vito confirmed exclusively to The Mirrorthere is no romance between them. They insisted they are just "good friends" and have created a life-long connection. It appears the pair have still been hit with speculation they are more than friends, as Ellie called it out on social media.
She shared a black and white photo of Vito and said: "Love this man dearly [red heart emoji] men and women can be friends and can love each other AS FRIENDS... just sayin x @vitocoppola you have the cutest face." Speaking to Gaby Roslin on BBC Radio 2, Ellie - who played Faye Windass on the cobbles - said Vito was "the best partner" she could've asked for.
"I had the absolute best time ever, I don't think anyone can actually prepare you for what it's going to be like," she shared. "I didn't realise how much fun I would have and how hard it would be." Since the live tour ended, Ellie has been linked to fellow Strictly star Bobby Brazier.
Strictly's Molly Rainford and Tyler West fuel romance rumours while on tourThey are said to have grown close while touring the country and have been spotted on a number of loved-up dates since. Ellie and Bobby were seen giggling and messing around with each other as they left a London bar last week and were also spotted linked arms with each other as they walked through the city.
Another photo is believed to show Ellie letting Bobby into an apartment where he seemed to be carrying an overnight bag. The multiple outings come after Bobby was quizzed about rumours of a romance at the TV Choice Awards earlier this month. He teased at the time that he had no Valentine's Day plans despite the speculation about him and Ellie. Discussing if he had any plans to OK!, he said at the time: "No, no, not yet. Maybe I will. If someone asked me out..."
Despite remaining tight-lipped about a budding romance, Bobby previously addressed claims about the pair. Speaking to The Sun, he called Ellie "beautiful" and "amazing" but added: "She is a lovely lovely friend of mine." When pressed on any romance between them, he insisted: "She's a lovely, lovely, lovely friend of mine."
Ellie and Bobby have faced suggestions their relationship is "fake", claiming they "both want the limelight and this is how they do it" on X, formerly Twitter. Others have accused the pair of exploiting "showmances" during their time on the BBC show with professional partners, Vito and Dianne Buswell.
The former Coronation Street actress is said to be 'upset' as a source claimed her relationship with the son of late Big Brother star, Jade Goody, was definitely the 'real deal'. A source told New: "They're trying to keep things under wraps, get to know each under and just have fun. But these comments, including that it could be a showmance like with Vito or that it's fake are causing pain."