I forget we're on camera - it's me and Vito and the music'

The chemistry between former Corrie actress Ellie Leach and dance partner Vito Coppola is clear as they share the secret of their success on Strictly

- JEN PHARO

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola are causing as much of a stir off the Strictly dance floor as they are on it. Their chemistry can literally be felt through TV screens on a Saturday night, and comments on social media have done nothing to dispel rumours of a romance.

In an Instagram post last week, the professional Italian dancer referred to Ellie as his "baby", before their former co-star Amanda Abbington called them a "couple". The question on everyone's lips is, "Are they or aren't they?"

Former Coronation Street star Ellie is radiating happiness when she bounds up for our late-night photo shoot with Vito by her side. And throughout the evening, he calls her "Baby" and hugs her constantly.

It's clear Ellie is in a great place. She tells us that while competing for the Strictly Glitterball Trophy is famously gruelling, the muscles that are working the hardest are in her cheeks - from spending all day smiling.

"Every day we have so much fun and I go home and I'm like, 'Oh my cheeks!' says Ellie, laughing. "We're just having such a good time. It's a roller coaster, but everything is just amazing. Everything is 100% heightened.”

The actress, 22, has got her groove back and is blossoming. But before Strictly brought its razzle-dazzle into her life, Ellie was struggling. Her five-year relationship with boyfriend Reagan Pettman hit the rocks over cheating allegations and at the same time she was written out of Corrie. Ellie joined the soap aged 10, tackled huge storylines and spent more than half her life playing teen mum Faye Windass. Her co-stars rallied round and showered her with gifts when she left the cobbles, but Ellie was devastated. When she arrived on Strictly, she had never danced before and was terrified by the idea of performing live.