Strictly’s Vito Coppola’s four kisses for partner Ellie Leach which have fans convinced they are dating
HAVING wowed viewers with their sizzling chemistry on the Strictly dancefloor, could these four kisses prove Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola have the same connection off it?
Italian stallion Vito, 31, who joined the show last year, seemed overcome with passion as he kissed Coronation Street’s Ellie, 22, three times following their rumba to Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors on Saturday night.
He was seen caressing Ellie’s arms and shoulders and then gave her a fourth smooch as they received a score of 35 out of 40, placing them second on the leaderboard.
She has been single since May, when it was revealed she had split from her boyfriend of five years, dancer Reagan Pettman, amid allegations he had cheated on her.
A pal of Vito’s said: “Ellie and Vito have been spending hours and hours together every day and they have really clicked.
“It seems like he has helped restore her faith in men after the break-up earlier in the year.
“No one would be surprised if they go public with a relationship because they are incredibly close and practically joined at the hip at the moment.
‘Vito is adorable and goofy, but he’s so sexy’
“Right now they have to be careful not to make things complicated with too many feelings
“But he is a red-blooded man and she is absolutely stunning, so it feels like it’s only a matter of time.”
Their amorous display on Saturday sparked rumours of a romance and had fans gushing over the pair.
One said on X, formerly Twitter: “I absolutely love Ellie and Vito, she is an amazing dancer and he brings out the best in her, they have an amazing chemistry.”
Another said: “LOVE Ellie and Vito.
“Such a natural, unaffected couple, no agenda, no back story rubbish, just a lovely, cheerful, bubbly couple! Vito is doubly cute, such a sweetheart.”
A third simply wrote: “Ellie and Vito are a HOT couple #strictly.”
Vito has form for falling for his dance partners.
He was paired with married singer and radio presenter Fleur East, 36, last year, but previously dated singer Arisa, 41, who he danced with on the Italian equivalent of Strictly.
They were together for several months after the series in 2021 but had split by the time he joined Strictly.
He later said they “remained on good terms” and still had a “friendly bond”.
As well as growing close to his dance partners, he is winning over hearts across the nation.
The handsome star has become the show’s new in-demand pin-up thanks to his chiselled body, sexy dance moves and revealing outfits.
He has overtaken former favourite Giovanni Pernice, 33, who had his time on the show cut short after his partner, actress Amanda Abbington, 51, quit amid a feud between them.
Vito, who wore a chest-revealing open shirt on Saturday’s show, has had fans swooning over him online.
One admirer posted on X: “Vito is both adorable and goofy but my f***ing god, he’s so sexy. He’s a perfect man.”
Another commented: “Honestly, every week Vito just gets me hot and bothered.”
He has racked up more than 200,000 followers on Instagram as fans clamour to see more of the handsome hunk, who started dancing aged six and has been a finalist at the World Championship three times.
Vito yesterday used his page to share a message calling him and Ellie a “beautiful couple” and last week referred to her as his “baby” in another post.
Ellie, best known for playing Faye Windass on Coronation Street, has spoken about how much she is loving the experience on her page, too.
Last week, she wrote: “What a magical night, we are so grateful for all of your support and we’re soooo happy to be through to another week on that Strictly dance floor.”
She has also said Vito has helped restore her confidence.
She explained last month: “Self-confidence is something I’ve always struggled with.
“As an actor, people don’t see that. They think you’re this confident person and you can do anything.
“Vito has taught me so much already. He tells me, ‘It’s a competition with yourself. If you’re tired, fight it, if you’re stressed, fight it’.
“I also don’t praise myself enough, I just focus on the wrong. But then he’ll say to me, ‘Yeah, but you just did that . . . ’
“Being cheated on was upsetting, but now’s the perfect time to put my all into Strictly and give that 500 per cent.”
Ellie and Vito have become the bookies’ favourites to win Strictly when it comes to a head next month.
Coral’s John Hill said: “Ellie Leach continues to attract strong support in our outright market and she is now a warm odds-on favourite to lift the glitterball trophy.”
It seems things are hotting up for these two both on and off screen.