STRICTLY’S Vitto Coppola tonight fought back tears after his dance partner Ellie Leach told him how he’d “changed her life” forever
It comes as the Coronation Street star, 22, and the pro dancer, 31, continue to fuel romance rumours.
Tonight speculation there is more to their relationship continued after it was revealed they had made it to next week’s final.
When interviewed afterwards, host Claudia Winkleman asked Ellie if she had anything she’d like to say to Vitto.
With a big smile on her face, the actress said: “Thank you for being the best partner, and the best friend.
“You always making me laugh, always pick me up when I’m down.
“Always pushing me, to put all that hard work in.”
Ellie went on: “Cause without you, I couldn’t have done this experience, at all!
“You have changed my life!””
After this exchange they pair embraced tightly and Vitto was seen wiping away a tear.
It comes after weeks of speculation that the pair are more than friends.
Vito recently set the rumour mill into overdrive when he shared a series of snaps of them cuddled up.
The Strictly Come Dancing finalists delighted fans with a snap showing them enjoying a snooze together.
The duo, clad in matching red outfits, were seen sprawled out on a sofa.
Ellie was seen resting the side of her face on Vito’s stomach.
The Italian meanwhile placed a protective hand on her shoulder in scenes posted to his Instagram Stories.
He then added the caption: “NAAEP – Napping Anywhere And Everywhere Possible.
“Thing Vito and Ellie suffer from: professional napping,” followed by sleepy and giggling Emoji icons.
The pair have continually sparked speculation they are dating, particularly when Vito tellingly branded her a “perfect diamond.”
Last weekend, the Faye Windass star told MailOnline of her dance partner and said: “He’s become part of the family.
“They love him and he loves my mum’s gravy.”
The soap star favourite continued: “My mum cooked a beef stew — just an ordinary beef stew, nothing special I thought, but he loved it, so every time he comes for tea, he asks ‘will there be gravy?”
Ellie added how her pro partner has helped her “find my own personality.”
Yet her comments come after The Sun exclusively revealed the pair were “faking” their romance.
We told how the pair have embarked on a “showmance” in the hope it wins them the hit BBC dance contest.
A source told us: “Vito is an experienced pro, and knows what he’s doing.
“He and Ellie had an instant friendship and a great connection, but it definitely wasn’t sexual.
“However, once viewers picked up on their connection, Vito especially was keen to let people jump to their own conclusions.
“By letting people think they’re together, the hope is they’ll further endear themselves to the nation.”
