Ellie Leach leaves Vito Coppola in tears with heartfelt tribute post as she declares: 'Love you partner!'

Ellie Leach leaves Vito Coppola in tears with heartfelt tribute post as she declares: 'Love you partner!'

WATCH NOW: Ellie and Vito are crowned Strictly champions

BBC
Alex Davies

By Alex Davies


Published: 19/12/2023

- 10:29

The 22-year-old lifted the Glitterball Trophy on Saturday night

Strictly Come Dancing pro Vito Coppola has been left in tears by Ellie Leach once more after this year's Glitterball winner took to social media with a post dedicated to her dance partner.

The duo managed to see of Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier in this year's Strictly final despite finishing bottom of the leaderboard on the night.


Both Leach and Coppola have been through quite the ride during their time on Strictly - facing romance rumours as well as "fix" claims during their stint on the show.

But all of that is a thing of the past now after Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly crowned them this year's champions.

Taking to Instagram on Monday evening, Leach dedicated a post to Coppola as she reflected on their journey 48 hours after lifting the sought-after gong.

"To the most wonderful partner I could have ever asked for," Leach began. "Words cannot describe how much love and admiration I have for you.

Vito Coppola

Vito Coppola was left in tears after winning alongside Ellie

BBC

"When we first met I had an immediate calming feeling with you, considering how high energy you are I don’t know how this was possible but it was.

"I immediately felt safe with you and I was so excited to see how our journey would end up. Never in a million years did I think we would make it to this point.

"I trusted you completely but I didn’t trust myself and I feared that I would let you down but you didn’t allow me to. You believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself and you reminded me of the reason I said yes to Strictly, to push myself out of my comfort zone and most importantly to have FUN!

"We’ve laughed uncontrollably, we’ve cried A LOT (mostly me) but most importantly, we’ve been there for each other when we’ve needed it the most and we’ve given our everything every single week. This experience is unlike anything I will ever experience again. We were thrown together as strangers and we will leave with a bond and a friendship that will never be matched."

Leach's kind words kept on coming as she penned: "I have never met anyone who is as passionate about what they do. Watching you dance whether it's with me on Saturday night, in the professional group numbers or even just messing about in the training studio, it’s just so joyous to watch.

"You have an infectious energy and a true heart of gold. You are what life is all about."

She signed off: "Thank you Vito. Thank you so much. With you by my side I felt like I could conquer anything I put my mind too. You have changed my life and for that, I will never be able to repay you. All that I can do is say thank you.

"I feel like the luckiest person in the world that I got to make these memories and share this experience with you. You are the reason we lifted that glitterball trophy and you are the reason why my life has changed for the better! Love you always partner."

Inevitably, it didn't take long for Leach's followers to praise her and Coppola in response to the tribute, but among the replies was Coppola himself.

Moved to tears by Leach's words, Coppola replied: "I am not gonna lie. I am crying. Tears of happiness. Thank you for have trusted me, because without your trust none of what we did would have been possible.

"I didn’t make you shine, and I didn’t really do anything special…What I did I have just help you to see yourself for what you really are! I saw the light in you since the first moment and you were shining already during our meeting day.

"You were just not able to see it, to recognise it and to appreciate you real beauty, and I think that every person deserves to see the light. I have just opened your eyes, because you were a bit afraid to see inside you… but look at you today.

"I have enjoyed and loved every single day and week we had.. and..this is just the beginning Lulu," Coppola signed off.

Also among the comments was Williams who praised the stars after finishing as runner-up in the Strictly final.

"Beyond proud. So fab watching you grow and shine! Love you and can't to see dance with you on tour. I'd happily be yours and Bobbys warm up act lols xxxx," he penned.

And semi-finalist Annabel Croft also weighed in: "A huge congratulations again Ellie xxx." (sic)

Leach will be back on the dance floor as part of the Strictly live tour after bagging the trophy.

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