BBC Strictly's Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola issue emotional joint statement about their 'happiness' ahead of final

Ellie Leach couldn't dampen her smiles as she was reunited with her best friend for a night out weeks after her Strictly Come Dancing win. It was only on December 16 that the actress was crowned this year's champion of the BBC One dance contest alongside Vito Coppola.

Strictly's Nikita Kuzmin had a blast celebrating his birthday with his girlfriend, Lauren Jaine, and other loved ones. The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer partied in Italy, catching up with his sister Anastasia Kuzmina, who is also a professional dancer, and fellow Strictly star Vito Coppola. Nikita, originally from Ukraine, shared a bunch of photos on Instagram from his birthday bash, including snaps with his proud mum, Natalia.

Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach appeared cheery as she gave fans an update concerning her dance partner Vito Coppola.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin have been issued a demand from fans after they shared a new joint post. It was actually professional dancer Nikita who took to his social media page to share a 'last' with those who supported them in the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola finally addressed the romance rumours that have been surrounding them since the beginning of the BBC One series. Ellie, 22, and Vito, 31, were paired together on this year's Strictly and proved to be a perfect match both on and off the dance floor, with many fans noticing they'd grown close on the show. Rumours of a romance between the pair have been rife over recent weeks, but they have both refrained from speaking out.

Layton Williams has been flooded with support from fans after he was spotted sending a public message to Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach. The actor and West End star made it to the final of the BBC One dance contest with the former Coronation Street star on Saturday (December 16).

Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has admitted to 'crying' as he responded to a heartfelt tribute penned to him from Ellie Leach. The pair are still riding the emotional wave as their journey on the BBC One dance contest came to a spectacular end.

Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach has declared her love for her co-star as she spoke to her fans and followers for the first time since winning the show. The Bury-born actress lifted the Glitterball trophy on Saturday night (December 16) alongside professional dance partner Vito Coppola.

Fans have rushed to respond to Giovanni Pernice's saucy post after his appearance during the Strictly Come Dancing final. Fans were thrilled to see the dancer perform again as the latest run of the BBC One dance contest came to an end.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have spotted the 'pure love' Vito Coppola has with one of his co-stars - and it's not Ellie Leach. The pair emerged victorious on Saturday night (December 16) in the final of the BBC One dance contest.

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola's 'real feelings' towards their win have been uncovered by a body language expert who has anaylsed their reaction following the Strictly Come Dancing final. The former Coronation Street star and her Italian dance partner emereged victorious on Saturday night (December 16).

Strictly Come Dancing's Ellie Leach gave a simple message to dance partner Vito Coppola after overcoming a mishap to be crowned the show's 2023 winners.

Ellie Leach was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 alongside professional dancer Vito Coppola, and she had a sweet message for her dance partner after they lifted the Glitterball trophy. Ex-Coronation Street actress Ellie, 22, was completely stunned when Tess Daly, 54, and Claudia Winkelman, 51, announced she'd won, while Vito, 31, was immediately overcome with emotion and broke down in tears.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola have been announced as the winners of this year's 2023 series.

Vito Coppola is one of the newest faces on Strictly Come Dancing - but he already has an impressive pedigree on the show (and its international counterparts) that could take him all the way to the title with partner Ellie. Vito and Fleur East made it all the way to the final in 2022 and he's previously lifted the glitterball trophy on the Italian version of Strictly.

Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has shared his advice to Ellie Leach as he reacted to the news they had made it through to the final. The pair wowed in the ballroom over the weekend as they competed in the semi-final of the BBC One dance contest.

Vito Coppola has branded his Strictly Come Dancing partner Ellie Leach a 'warrior' as she opened up about how the show has 'changed' her. The pair have been going from strength to strength in the ballroom while also being subject to romance rumours out of it.

Janette Manrara jokingly said she had 'started a domestic' between Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola as they continue to be subject to romance rumours. The former Coronation Street star and the Italian dancer have won hearts of fans both on and off the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor.

Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has said he's 'in love' as his hidden message to Ellie Leach was uncovered - but it might not be exactly what it seems. The dancer was seen in the ballroom over the weekend alongside his former Coronation Street star dance partner after making it through to the quarter-finals.

Strictly Come Dancing fans reckon Giovanni Pernice might be eyeing up a new role on the show, after his performance on Saturday night, 3 December.The Italian dancer hasn't been competing in the 2023 series of the BBC One dance contest for weeks, having had to pull out of the competition with celebrity dance partner Amanda Abbington. The actress initially withdrew from one of the live shows due to 'medical reasons' before it was announced she would be leaving the show altogether due to 'personal reasons'.