STRICTLY star Ellie Leach has grown from a girl into a woman thanks to her dance partner Vito Coppola, her mum has said.
Her comments come amid speculation the pair have struck up a romance while rehearsing for the BBC show.
![My daughter Ellie Leach has grown from a girl into a woman thanks to Vito, says Strictly star’s mum amid romance rumours My daughter Ellie Leach has grown from a girl into a woman thanks to Vito, says Strictly star’s mum amid romance rumours](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/guy-levy-bbc-pa-wire-852362533-5.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
Ellie Leach has grown into a woman thanks to Vito Coppola, her mum said[/caption]
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Mum Karen, 50, says it is the dance pro who has brought Ellie, 22, out of her shell[/caption]
The Coronation Street actress — who plays Faye Windass — is the favourite to win the dance competition after impressing the judges with her Charleston to Girls Aloud hit Love Machine at Blackpool Tower Ballroom last night.
Mum Karen, 50, says it is Italian dance pro Vito who has brought the soap star, 22, out of her shell.
Asked if Strictly has turned Ellie into a woman, Karen told The Sun on Sunday: “Yes, we definitely feel like we’re watching her grow up in front of our eyes.
“She seems to have blossomed into a beautiful, young, confident woman — although she will always be our little girl.”
And she added: “Even though Vito is teaching her to dance, he has also been helping her focus on her self-confidence and inner strengths, which is something she has always suffered with growing up.
“They have formed such a wonderful friendship and have a great connection on the dance floor.” It comes after Vito described Ellie as a precious jewel on last week’s results show.
He said: “I think, for me, Ellie is this rough diamond that you need to put under pressure and shine the front and the sides.”
Vito, 31, has also shone in the Leach family home in Bury, Gtr Manchester — even helping out with the cooking.
Karen said: “He is such fun to be around and so confident. He has spent dinner with us on a few occasions. Wow, he can eat!
“It is great for me as I am a feeder, so he fits in just fine.
“He loves to hang around over my shoulder while I’m cooking to see what ingredients I’m putting together.
“It is lovely having him over. He has such a lovely aura about him.”
Ellie joined the cast of Corrie in 2011, aged ten.
Karen said: “Ellie was quite shy growing up, until she got to know you.
“She’s always been a home bird and is most comfortable when she is around her family.
“Growing up in the public eye can be very daunting to a child, but she has always stayed very grounded.”
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The mum’s comments come amid rumours the pair have struck up a romance while rehearsing for Strictly[/caption]