Ellie Leach says Strictly ‘changed her for the better’ as she learns to ’embrace the unknown’ after winning the show with partner Vito Coppola

Ellie Leach has admitted that Strictly Come Dancing has ‘changed her for the better’ as she has learned to ’embrace the unknown’ after taking part in the competition.

The former Coronation Street actress became the youngest person to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy at the age of 22 when she won the show alongside her partner Vito Coppola.

Joining Jon Kay and Sally Nugent on Tuesday’s BBC Breakfast, Ellie and Vito reflected on their time on the show.

Ellie explained: ‘Strictly changed my life so much I didn’t know how much I would have learned. It really changed me for the better.

“It was the unknown and I tried to embrace the experience and that’s what worked. I’m more like that now, I say yes to more things so I don’t wonder, “What if?”

The actress became the youngest person to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy at the age of 22 when she won the show alongside her partner Vito Coppola.

Vito exclaimed, “We’re still in our bubble, we can’t believe it’s real!” Right after it was strictly done, it was Christmas, so we didn’t have time to process it.”

Elsewhere, Ellie admitted she ‘broke her Glitterball Trophy’ just weeks after winning the prized possession.

She continued, “It’s all resolved now. My dad took it to his barn and he fixed it. I had to get all my stuff from London to Manchester on the train and it broke in my bag.

“My dad is obsessed with it and when someone comes over he says, ‘Do you want a picture with it?’

Ellie and Vito recently reunited for the Strictly Come Dancing Live! tour, with the actress adding: ‘It was so good. It was different from the show and weird to be in an arena where you can see all the thousands of people watching.

Vito explained, “You have thousands of people and they all came to see you. We are so grateful. We have a little moment backstage and we hold hands and say, “Okay, let’s do this.”

“It’s the best way to show gratitude to all those thousands of people, to put on a good show.”

The appearance comes after Ellie and Vito clarified their relationship status after reuniting for the tour.

Ellie explained: ‘Strictly changed my life so much I didn’t know how much I would have learned. It really changed me for the better. It was the unknown’

She added, “I’ll say yes to more things so I’m not left wondering ‘What if?’

The actress and her professional dance partner have been hit with romance rumors since starting Strictly in September 2023.

Now they’ve opened up about their close bond, with Vito insisting they’re “not going anywhere” but confirming they’re just good friends.

Speaking to the The mirrorhe said: ‘We have a great relationship and honestly if you just find people, not just me and Ellie, but their family that I love.

“You just find these people that you think are going to be in my life forever, in each other’s lives, and in the whole family and the dogs.”

When asked if they meant friends, the pair confirmed that they are just good friends as they gave insight into their close bond.