BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Ellie Leach's mum breaks silence on daughter and Vito Coppola amid 'romance' rumours

The mum of Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Leach has gushed over her daughter's transformation since appearing in the show and has also shared her thoughts on dance partner Vito Coppola. The couple wowed on Saturday night (November 18) as the BBC One dance contest headed to Blackpool.

Former Coronation Street star and her Italian dance partner Vito, who have been at the centre of romantic rumours for weeks, scored a total of 39 out of 40 as they donned matching pink and blue outfits for their Charleston to Love Machine by Girls Aloud.

Following the high-energetic performance, Vito kissed Ellie and told her "we’ve won, baby", seemingly referring to the fun fair theme of the dance which ended with Ellie getting a giant cuddly toy.

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During their feedback Shirley Ballas branded the dance was, "extremely difficult" and Craig Rever Horwood himself said it was one of the "hardest Charlestons" ever seen on the show. But it's fair to say fans think it 'should have' been a perfect score for the pair.

Now though, Ellie's mum Karen has told how Vito who has brought Ellie out of her shell. Asked if Strictly has turned her former soap star daughter into a woman, Karen told The Sun on Sunday: "Yes, we definitely feel like we’re watching her grow up in front of our eyes. She seems to have blossomed into a beautiful, young, confident woman — although she will always be our little girl."

The 50-year-old added: "Even though Vito is teaching her to dance, he has also been helping her focus on her self-confidence and inner strengths, which is something