Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has revealed he collapsed on stage during a debilitating health battle because he had no energy.
The professional dancer, who has been part of the BBC One dance competition show since 2021, has told how he experienced bulimia after facing criticism about his body in the competitive dance world.
Battle with bulimia began in late teens
Vito, who is an 11-time Italian Latin American Champion, says the issue began in his late teens as he faced comments from judges and rivals, which he described as "toxic".
Speaking to The Sun ahead of the release of his memoir, Love, Vito, the 33-year-old said: "I want to be open about that dark period in my life and what I’ve been through. Once it becomes an ingrained habit, bulimia - that act of bingeing on food and purging it - is so serious and potentially life-threatening."
He added: "In the competition world there is always someone better, stronger, faster, slimmer or quicker than you, so you push yourself. I felt the judging panels idealised the perfect body structure. I felt different because I was taller than most, but I had wider shoulders and judges told me my bum was too big and rounded and my legs were too chunky. It can be toxic."
Collapse at World Championships
Vito's family became worried about his behaviour, with his mum noticing something was wrong when the food parcels she sent him were going uneaten.
Things then came to a head when he collapsed during a jive while competing at the World Championships in Toronto, Canada, in his early 20s. He recalled: "I fainted during the jive because I had no energy."
He said: "You push yourself, but being strong means stepping away from a situation that is toxic and is damaging you. I’ve never gone back [to dangerous eating disorders]."
Sharing his experience
Years on from that moment and Vito now feels in a better place, and wants to help others through his own love of food. "I am very empathetic and want to share my experience," he said. "In order to receive, you have to give."
He added: "Dancing is an intense activity, but anyone who has danced with me knows that now I am all about regular eating and napping. It scares me to think I was on a path to developing a full-blown, long-term eating disorder."
