‘Lots of trust there’ - Strictly’s Ellie Leach praises 'strong partnership' with Vito Coppola ahead of final

Virgin Radio

15 Dec 2023, 09:54

Strictly Come Dancing finalist star Ellie Leach has shared her love of partner Vito Coppola and their ‘trusting’ partnership ahead of Saturday’s (16th December) Grand Final. 

Coronation Street actress Ellie will team up with Vito one last time this weekend against Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, and Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, all in the bid to lift the Glitterball Trophy. 

There has been plenty of speculation about a potential romance between Ellie and Vito during their Strictly journey, and while there’s never been any confirmation from the dancing couple, Ellie did praise her pro-partner for building a strong relationship on the dance floor. 

Speaking at the Strictly finalists press conference, which virginradio.co.uk attended, Ellie was asked about her chemistry with Vito and if their close bond has helped in the competition, to which she replied: “I think that obviously we danced together for how many weeks now? Three months, we've been together every single day, and you really have to have a strong partnership to be able to trust in each other. 

“I think Vito is an amazing dancer, that’s why he's a professional. I have to trust in him. But also, it's a lot about him putting trust in me because it's something that I've never done before. There has to be a lot of trust there.”

Vito shared the same sentiment, and added: “I trusted in her from day one, and I believed in her potential. I said to her, because she didn't trust in yourself. I said, like, Okay, so first I have to have your trust. I meant in the way that you have to trust me first. Now, once you trust me, if I trust you, trust me that I trust you. You will trust yourself.”

“If you really believe in me, and we have this kind of really…let's meet halfway, you will see that you will be surprised how good you are, how good you can be.” 

It’s not the first time Ellie and Vito have discussed their pride at all they’ve achieved in the competition, with Ellie expressing her feelings to Vito during the Strictly semi-finals last week. 

Ellie told him in front of host Claudia Winkleman: "Thank you so much for being the best partner, the best friend, always making me laugh, always picking me up when I feel down, always pushing me to put all that hard work in.

"Without you, I couldn't have done this experience at all. You have changed my life."

Strictly Come Dancing: The Final will air live on Saturday 16th December at 7.00pm, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.