Vito Coppola marks Ellie Leach's birthday with photo of first ever meeting

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Vito Coppola marks Ellie Leach
Vito Coppola marks Ellie Leach's birthday with photo of first ever meeting

Strictly Come Dancing winner Vito Coppola paid tribute to his pal Ellie Leach in a video message and subsequent post that he has shared for her birthday this week.

Vito, 31, and Ellie, now 23, met when they were partnered together for the BBC show just last year. The professional dancer and the former Coronation Street actor ended up reaching the final, where they were named the winners.

They have remained close since then and have kept fans updated through social media in recent months. Vito took to Instagram on Friday to pay tribute to his former dance partner, whom he refers to as Lulú, for her birthday.

He posted a video message on the platform, in which he marked the occasion, and also uploaded a selfie of them, which he said was one of their first photos together. Vito shared both with his followers through his Instagram Story.

Alongside the photo, which showed them posing in a bar when they first met for Strictly, he wrote: "One of our first pics on our meeting day before everything started ... Happy birthday Lulú. Wish you a life full of everything. love youuu."

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He also celebrated the occasion in the video, saying: "Good morning beautiful people! And sorry I've not really been on social media lately, but today is a very special day and I want to wish happy, happy birthday to someone special, which is my Lulú. My baby. So baby, have the best day."

Vito Coppola marks Ellie Leach's birthday with photo of first ever meetingVito Coppola marked Ellie Leach's birthday by sharing what he's said is one of their first photos together (Instagram)
Vito Coppola marks Ellie Leach's birthday with photo of first ever meetingThe Strictly Come Dancing winner also shared a video message for his former dance partner (Instagram)

Vito went on to mention that Ellie is currently on tour with the play Cluedo 2. She stars as Miss Scarlett in the show, which is inspired by the Hasbro board game Cluedo. The production has been at the Theatre Royal in York this week.

"I know you are on the show right now. I know you are having ... in York [tonight]. So enjoy the show. Enjoy your birthday. And when we are going to meet each other, we are going to celebrate our way, yeah, in our way," he commented.

The professional dancer continued: "In the meantime, my Lulú, a kiss [and] a big, big hug. Like you know I like hugs. Have the best day." He appeared to conclude the video message by wishing his pal Ellie "happy birthday" in Italian.

Vito hasn't been alone in marking the occasion, with Ellie having shared various other tributes from pals on Friday. It included some of her former colleagues, including two who competed alongside her on the latest series of Strictly.

Zara McDermott, 27, wrote on the platform: "The happiest of birthdays to my girl, love you so much. Have the most magical day you beautiful soul." Whilst Nikita Kanda, 28, said in her post about Ellie: "Happy birthday to this diamond girl. So glad Strictly brought us together as friends. Wishing you the best day my lovely. Can't wait to see you soon."

There was also a post for the special occasion from Ellie's former Coronation Street co-star Lucy Fallon, 28. The actor - who plays Bethany Platt on the ITV soap opera - wrote: "Happy birthday to our fave girl [...] love ya 4everrrrr."

Joel Leaver

Ellie Leach, Vito Coppola

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