BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans say 'how cute' as Ellie Leach shares gesture from mum ahead of first live show

Ellie Leach has revealed a sweet gesture from her mum as she prepares for the first Strictly Come Dancing live show next weekend.

The former Coronation Street actress, who played Faye Windass on the ITV soap, was confirmed as one of 15 contestants for the BBC One dance contest this year. Strictly's twenty first series debuted on Saturday (September 16) with a pre-recorded launch show, where the celebrity contestants and their professional dance partner pairs were revealed.

Ellie, from Bury, has been partnered up with dancer Vito Coppola - whose Strictly debut last year, with singer and radio host Fleur East, saw the pair finish as runners-up in the final. In an Instagram post, Ellie shared an insight into her dancing journey so far, while she and Vito prepare to perform the jive on their first live show - complete with a cute gesture from her mum, Karen.

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Ellie posted a 10-picture photo 'dump,' showing her big reveal as a contestant on BBC Breakfast, her first time getting glammed up in a stunning gold glittery dress with full-glam hair and make-up and of her spending time with new dance partner Vito. Other candid photos showed the actress looking excited in the car as she travelled to her first Strictly 'masterclass,' as well as her name on the dressing room door alongside fellow contestants Nikita Kanda and Zara McDermott.

But it was Ellie's final photo that really got fans talking. She shared an adorable snap of a packed lunch her mum Karen had made - for both herself and Vito. Packaged in a black lunch box with a clear lid, the meals had a post-it note placed on each of them.

One read: "My boy Vito" and another