AFTER HER 'STRICTLY' DANCE DEBUT ELLIE LEACH ON STEPPING OUT ON HER OWN AND LEAVING 'CORRIE'

Life has changed a lot for Ellie Leach in the last few months. In May, after 12 years playing Faye Windass, she said goodbye to the cobbles of Coronation Street while also going through a relationship break-up.

- EMILY HORAN

So it’s little wonder that the Bury-born 22-year-old actress is seeing all the sequins, shimmies and ballroom glamour of Strictly Come Dancing as a welcome chance to thrive as her own person.

“It’s been really nice to throw myself into something new. This is all about me now – I just want to give a hundred per cent of myself to Strictly,” she tells HELLO! on our exclusive photoshoot. “I’m really excited to enjoy myself and hopefully get a bit of extra self-confidence.”

PERFECT PARTNER 

A spark of that confidence was on display last Saturday, when Ellie made her live dance debut with dance partner Vito Coppola. Excitement was at fever pitch as she and her fellow twinkletoed hopefuls showed off their newly learnt footwork and got acquainted with judges Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

Ellie is “buzzing” to be with Vito – but there was one person who was even more excited when she was partnered with the Italian star.

"My mum is obsessed with him and she was like: 'I hope you get Vito! I hope you get Vito!' so the fact that he's my partner is amazing," she tells us, laughing.

Ellie learnt Vito would be guiding her through her Strictly journey in a pub reminiscent of Corrie's Rovers Return, and her delight was evident - as was the panic that engulfed her as it sunk in that her first dance was the jive.

"Oh no! That's really hard!" she wailed, part laughing, part seemingly in denial.