Tears and cheers at end of her year of pain
WHEN she was axed from Coronation Street earlier this year after 12 years on the soap, her career seemed uncertain.
But now Ellie Leach has the entertainment world at her feet after her Strictly Come Dancing triumph.
A relative unknown, Ms Leach has become the youngest person to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy at just 22 years old.
And with TV and streaming bosses reportedly ‘clamouring’ to sign her up, she is also set to become one of the biggest young names in showbusiness.
Her triumph on Saturday came as an emotional outpouring by judge Craig Revel Horwood, 58 – who has been on the show since it began in 2004 – prompted speculation that this year’s series may have been his last.
Judging Ms Leach’s risky showdance which was full of ambitious lifts, the usually stern Horwood became tearful as he reminisced on the first series of Strictly, saying: ‘I’m so pleased that you did take a risk. And I think back, actually, to series one and I was imagining natasha Kaplinsky doing that and how far this programme has come’.
Industry insiders believe Ms Leach’s ‘authenticity’ will set her apart from other stars, as she attempts to build her career fol actress lowing her Strictly win alongside professional partner and rumoured boyfriend Vito Coppola, 31.
Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, chairman of agency InterTalent, said: ‘ The world is at Ellie’s feet. Ellie is the total triple threat. Immensely talented and completely adorable.
‘TV and streamers will be clamouring for her and whatever Ellie’s desire she will be able to do.
‘I predict a big acting role and being the face of a prestigious brand as Ellie has total class and compete authenticity.’
He said Ms Leach is set to make ‘many millions of pounds’ in the years to come, when she is ‘ready’.
According to PR agent Mark Borkowski, Ms Leach’s success will now depend on ‘the team behind her to strategically plot how to maximise the triumph’. He said: ‘A triumph can catapult winners on to another plane. The show is seen as having a great deal of prestige.
‘We have seen down the years that it serves as a launch pad for enhanced visibility, an expanded fan base, and an elevated standing within the BBC as well as the wider entertainment industry.’
He added: ‘I suspect lucrative endorsements, and forays into previously uncharted areas.’ The landed the role of Faye Windass on Corrie in 2011, when she was aged just nine, but in May producers told her that they saw ‘no future’ for the character.
Ms Leach, who studied acting at the Manchester College and had a handful of minor roles prior to Coronation Street, found herself out of a job and available to sign up to Strictly.
She was also recovering from heartbreak in her personal life after splitting from long- term boyfriend Reagan Pettman. The dancer and model, who was with Ms Leach for five years, is thought to have been unfaithful.
Ahead of the final Ms Leach said: ‘At the beginning of the competition, I really didn’t have much selfconfidence or self-belief and that’s something that I have always really struggled with.
‘Strictly has really helped me to build on that and grow... to dance in front of millions of people and do something that is completely out of your comfort zone... has really helped in building my self- confidence.’ Ms Leach became a favourite with viewers thanks to her likeability, her chemistry with Coppola and her aptitude for dance – with her progress evident from week to week.
After the final, she said: ‘ Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now and I cannot believe we have just won Strictly Come Dancing 2023.
‘It’s been a life-changing opportunity and I’ve had the time of my life dancing with Vito every week.’
She has remained silent on the rumours of a romance with Coppola and the pair have not denied they are more than just friends.
This year’s Strictly final saw an average of 8.8million viewers tune in, down from last year’s 9.2million. Peak viewers remained the same as last year, with 9.7million watching the 2022 and 2023 finals.
‘Immensely talented and adorable’