Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola wowed the viewers at home with their Argentine Tango on Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The Coronation Street star, 22, and the professional dancer, 31, impressed with their stellar week 10 routine to Destiny’s Child hit Bills, Bills, Bills, but fans thought the dance deserved a higher score.
Before the dance Ellie, who has sparked romance rumours with Vito, admitted her confidence has soared since Strictly, saying ‘a few weeks ago I would never have been able to have done this dance.’
Looking incredible in a tight scarlet dress with a daring thigh-high split, Ellie and her partner only had eyes for each other during the red hot routine.
At the close of the number the pair shared a lingering look as they set fans talking with a near-kiss.
While viewers were impressed by their incredible chemistry, the judges were left slightly underwhelmed with Anton admitting he thought the routine ‘lacked intensity.’
Craig added that he thought the dance ‘lacked intimacy.’
Despite Anton and Craig’s critique, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas were impressed enough to score the couple a 10 each, with a total score of 38, leaving them top of the leaderboard.
Fans insisted though that it should have been a perfect 40.
On Friday, the pair again sent fans wild as they shared a joint post on Instagram where they posed together for several cosy snaps.
In one snap, Vito wrapped his arms around Ellie and rested his head on hers while in another, he held her face while leaning in for a kiss.
Alongside the post, he wrote: ‘Live the present and be grateful for what you have in life. Be happy for waking up every morning and appreciate the small things. This makes the real Happiness’.
‘These are the words that Lulú and I keep repeating to each other.’
Ellie commented on the post and wrote: ‘Always live in the present and appreciate the little things ❤️ so lucky and grateful for this experience with you xxx’.
Several Strictly fans commented on the pair’s chemistry, with one writing: ‘Please get married and have babies’.
Another wrote: ‘Love you guys! You two are a match made in heaven – the laughs and chemistry just show every week looks effortless and not forced and that really matters ❤️ routing for you both’.
A third added: ‘Tell me your a couple without telling me your a couple!!’
A fourth wrote: ‘I get that this is just a photoshoot and that you are just dance partners and friends BUT half the country are now hoping that you might be more than ‘just friends’. Just saying!’
It comes after Vito awkwardly avoided questions over his and Ellie’s chemistry and relationship during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine on Tuesday.
The professional dancer dodged questions on his and the soap star’s partnership as they remain the favourites to lift the Strictly Glitterball.
Host Lorraine said: ‘Both of you are single, everybody wants a romance, you’re getting on incredibly well – clearly there’s a bond there…’
Vito replied: ‘Not just Ellie, all of Ellie’s family have become like another family for me. I’ve been so lucky because they are so wonderful.’
Turning to Ellie, he continued: ‘Your mum does the best gravy, I ate the entire pot! So of course, friends and people who will stay in your life forever.’
Body language expert Darren Stanton spoke on behalf of Betfair Casino said them doing so well in the competition is down to them having a ‘strong’ relationship.
He explained: ‘Ellie and Vito are clear favourites in the competition, and I think that’s down to them having a journey.
‘They’ve had good weeks, and bad weeks, so for them to take feedback on board and really work as a team, is showing the public they have a real connection.
‘Ellie has gone from strength to strength in terms of her confidence on the show. Her relationship with Vito is incredibly strong.’
Ellie is single after splitting from her boyfriend of five years Reagan Pettman in May, saying she was doing Strictly after ‘being cheated on’.
Vito is also single after splitting from his ex-girlfriend Arisa last year. The dancer won the Italian version of Strictly with in 2021.
It comes after Ellie also addressed the romance rumours swirling around and Vito, and tried to downplay their closeness.
The actress told OK! Magazine that her kisses with the professional dancer are just a sign of ‘deep friendship’.
She said: ‘It was only a kiss on the cheek. He gives me a kiss on the cheek every Saturday.’
Denying it could have been anything more, she added: ‘It was definitely on the cheek.’
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
