Strictly’s Ellie and Vito handed ‘advantage’ in bid to lift trophy, pro claims

Vito Coppola kisses Ellie Leach on Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing favourite Vincent Simone has thrown his support behind Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, saying that while she is a “brilliant” dancer, their rumoured romance will have given her an “advantage” in the race for the Glitterball Trophy.

The 44-year-old dancer, who was a pro on the show from 2006 until 2012, said: “We’ve seen in other reality TV shows, where the contestants fall in love or become a couple over the course of the series, it softens the audience and warms all the viewers’ hearts.

“I think I would be lying if that wasn’t true and if their relationship and romance didn’t give them an advantage. The other side to the relationship and the romance is that they are brilliant dancers.

“They are performing beautiful routines on the show week-in, week-out. They have the talent to back up where they are in the competition. Forget about the relationship, they deserve all of the recognition they are getting because they are fantastic dancers.”

Vincent added to ICE36 that Ellie, 22, is “amazing”, especially as she is not trained in Ballroom or Latin.

READ MORE: Ellie Leach’s mum says Strictly’s Vito Coppola has ‘spent dinner with us’

He continued: “I don’t know if Ellie has ever danced before – I don’t think she has – so to see the level that she is performing at is just amazing. The amount of work that she is putting into her routines every week is stunning.

“What Vito is doing with her, in terms of teaching her, they definitely deserve to be recognised as some of the best dancers on the show, romance or no romance. Ellie and Vito deserve to be at the top of the leaderboard. Full stop.”

While Ellie and Vito have undeniable chemistry as a partnership, Ellie says they are just good friends.

Speaking to OK! Magazine last week, the Coronation Street actress said: “It was only a kiss on the cheek. He gives me a kiss on the cheek every Saturday! It was definitely on the cheek… We really, really get along and we have a lovely friendship. I hope we can continue that.”

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Vito also went on to explain that he is just a “very, very warm person” and that he “just likes to hug”.

Ellie and Vito have gone from strength to strength in the competition, topping the leaderboard many times.

Next weekend, the duo will perform an Argentine Tango to Destiny’s Child’s Bills, Bills, Bills.

Strictky Come Dancing continues Saturday at 7.30pm on BBC One.

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