Strictly Come Dancing fans were reaching for the tissues this week as professional dancer Vito Coppola shared an overwhelmingly emotional tribute to his dance partner and winner Ellie Leach.
The Italian dancer, who lifted the glitterball trophy with the former Coronation Street star in December, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram that left the Strictly community in tears. Accompanied by beautiful behind-the-scenes photos and video moments from their Strictly journey, Coppola's words captured the depth of their partnership.
A Bond Beyond the Dance Floor
In his moving social media post, Coppola reflected on their three-month journey together, describing it as "more than just a dance competition." He expressed profound gratitude for the connection they developed, which transcended the typical professional relationship.
"What we created together goes beyond steps and routines," he wrote, adding that their partnership became "something truly magical that I will cherish forever."
Fans Overwhelmed by Emotion
The response from Strictly viewers was immediate and emotional. Hundreds of comments flooded in from touched fans who described themselves as "sobbing" and "in tears" at the beautiful tribute.
One emotional fan commented: "This is the most beautiful thing I've ever read. You two had something so special from week one." Another wrote: "I'm not crying, you're crying! This partnership was everything."
The Winning Partnership
Coppola and Leach captured the nation's heart throughout the 2023 series, with their partnership growing stronger each week. Their victory in the final was celebrated by viewers who had watched their bond develop from tentative first steps to a championship-winning connection.
The professional dancer's tribute serves as a perfect bookend to their Strictly journey, highlighting that for the best partnerships, the real prize wasn't the glitterball trophy but the friendship forged along the way.
