Strictly Come Dancing’s Ellie Leach has finally addressed the romance rumors surrounding her and dance partner Vito Coppola.
The 22-year-old Coronation Street star and the 31-year-old Italian dancer have sparked much speculation in recent weeks about the nature of their relationship.
The pair danced extensively together in the BBC Ballroom competition, including a sexy rumba on Saturday evening, for which they scored 35 out of 40.
Additionally, Vito has started giving Ellie cute nicknames when training together, such as “my baby,” “my Lulu,” and a “diamond.”
Ellie also added “I love you” to Vito’s messages on social media, while Amanda Abbington seemingly accidentally outed the couple by calling them a “beautiful couple” on Instagram.
Speaking out: Strictly Come Dancing’s Ellie Leach has finally addressed the relationship rumors surrounding her and her dance partner Vito Coppola
More than friends? The 22-year-old Coronation Street star and the 31-year-old Italian dancer have sparked much speculation in recent weeks about the nature of their relationship
The actress has finally addressed the rumors in an attempt to calm the hysteria surrounding her.
Ellie said OK! magazine that her kisses with Vito were just a sign of “deep friendship.”
She said, “It was just a kiss on the cheek. ‘He gives me a kiss on the cheek every Saturday!’
And she denied there could have been anything more, adding: “It was definitely a cheek.”
On Sunday’s results show, host Claudia Winkleman referred to Vito’s affectionate nicknames for Ellie when she asked the dancer why he calls her “a diamond”.
“I think for me Ellie is like a diamond, but not like a normal diamond, she’s this diamond in the rough that you have to put pressure on to make it shine on the front and on the sides,” Vito explained.
“Right now we’re moving between shiny and rough,” he added, to an amused reaction from Claudia.
Wow: Ellie and Vita scored 35 out of 40 for their sexy rumba on Saturday evening
My Lulu: Vito, 31, posted an Instagram message paying tribute to Ellie, 22, after the pair endured another tense Strictly Results show and Blackpool week
Ellie and Vito scored 35 out of 40 for their Rumba to True Colors by Cyndi Lauper on Saturday evening.
It came after Vito appeared to “confirm” his romance with partner Ellie, calling her “my baby” in a seductive Instagram post.
The Italian hunk posed in the sexy black and white photo while flexing his tattooed muscles and captioned the upload: “Just finished another day of rehearsals.” “Well done my baby Ellie Leach.”
He shared the update on the Strictly couple on Wednesday night after they spent hours in the training room ahead of Saturday night’s live show.
They were then pictured looking very comfortable during rehearsals and practicing the intimate dance with their faces just inches away from the kiss.
His declaration of love for the 22-year-old former Coronation Street actress comes after her ex-Strictly co-star Amanda Abbington, 51, called them the “most beautiful couple” on social media while saying she was “like that “proud” of their achievement.
Diamond: On Sunday’s results show, host Claudia Winkleman referred to Vito’s affectionate nickname for Ellie when she asked the dancer why he calls her “a diamond.”
Incredible: The intimate dance took place days after they appeared to confirm their romance
All-professional dancer Vito called Ellie “my baby” in a seductive Instagram post earlier this week.
Just days earlier, the dance duo declared their love for one another in gushing social media tributes, while sparks were reportedly flying behind the scenes.
And Amanda, who exited the BBC show last month, appeared to let the cat out of the bag when she took to Instagram on Sunday to describe the pair as “the most beautiful couple”.
Ellie shared a snap of her and Vito’s final performance, which she described as a “magical evening” as they topped the leaderboard for the second time.
Writing: “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” What a magical evening, we are so grateful for all your support and we are soooo happy to be spending another week on this Strictly dancefloor.”
Fans and famous friends flocked to praise the couple, with former co-star Amanda commenting: “Stunning.” I’m so proud of you both. You are the most beautiful couple!’.
Web contacted Ellie and Vito’s representatives for comment at the time.