Strictly Come Dancing 2023 winner Ellie Leach has offered words of encouragement to this year's contestants, while cautioning them to put in maximum effort. The former Coronation Street actress claimed the glitterball trophy in 2023, dancing alongside professional partner Vito Coppola.
This series, stars including Delta Goodrem, Lacey Turner and Will Best are hoping to emulate her success, with the second elimination looming this weekend following Chris Appleton and partner Amy Dowden's departure as the first couple to leave.
Cherish every moment
Reflecting on her Strictly journey, Ellie revealed the guidance she would offer her past self, explaining: "The advice that I would give myself throughout the whole series really is to cherish every moment because it goes so fast. Once that launch show is on, it's like boom you're in it, it goes so quick. So it would just be to cherish every moment."
She continued by acknowledging there was no magic formula for victory, stating: "I think if you put in the hard work, you're going to see that rewarded. It's one of those things where you really do have to put your all into it. There's no point in being like, 'It's alright, it'll work itself out,' I think you do really have to work hard if you want to succeed and do yourself proud."
Life after Strictly
Ellie, who was discussing her partnership with The Royal Mint as Miss Scarlett for the new Cluedo 50p collection, then reflected on how her existence transformed following Strictly, despite being recognised as Faye Windass on Coronation Street for over ten years. She said: "It was completely different. People knew me from Corrie but they knew me as a character, and then when I did Strictly, they got to learn my own personality.
"That was what was really strange and something that I was worried about before going into Strictly, like I wonder if people are going to like me for me, because you are judged on your personality by the public. To be yourself was crazy. But I loved it, it brought out a whole different side to me as a person so it was fun to play around with that."
First elimination
Last weekend, celebrity hairstylist Chris and Welsh dancer Amy were the first pair to be shown the door this series. He said: "I think it's been such a whirlwind of emotion. I'm 43 and I got good at doing what I did – which is hair.
"To come and do something like this, I felt so out of my comfort zone and saw myself in a way I never saw myself, and it challenged me in ways I never knew I could be challenged. I am very grateful for everyone who has been involved. It's been so amazing to be part of something that I grew up watching and got to be a part of it.
"The most important thing I think I will take from this show is having a friend in Amy because I genuinely love her and I am so grateful I met someone who has so much heart and passion. I only wish I could have done better for her because she deserves to go further in the competition, but we did put everything into it."
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
