Strictly's Vito Coppola has a colourful love life – rumours about Helen Skelton, an affair with a co-star and a possible 'romance' with his current dance partner, Ellie Leach.
Vito joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 after being on the Italian version where he had a fling with his co-star.
The talented dancer, 31, born in Naples, is currently causing a stir with Coronation Street star Ellie, 22. Fans are hoping they'll waltz off with the Glitterball trophy in December.
Vito has also been linked to Countryfile host Helen Skelton, who he reportedly "bonded" with on the Strictly tour bus last year. There were reports that the pair looked 'cosy' together.
He hasn't confirmed or denied if he's dating Ellie, but fans think they're an item. So, as we wait for their next dance at the weekend, here's a peek into the Italian's love life….
'Bonding' with Helen Skelton
Mum-of-three Helen and Vito "bonded" after spending time together on the Strictly show tour bus as they travelled between UK cities, the Mirror revealed.
Helen found herself suddenly single last year after her husband Richie Myler ended their seven year marriage shortly after the arrival of their third child, Elsie.
A source shared with us about the Blue Peter star's 'fondness' for Vito, saying: "Helen and Vito were good friends during Strictly, but really bonded on tour. They spent a lot of time chatting on the quiet bus and getting to know each other. They have a lot in common a love of the outdoors, for example."
"Between shows they also spent time together one-on-one, like going for coffee, just the two of them. "Then, if the whole group went for dinner, they would sit together, deep in conversation."
However, it seems the pair wanted to keep their closeness under wraps as the source added: "If anyone pulled out a phone and started filming, Helen would move away from Vito. She didn't want to be captured in the background."
Helen stayed tight-lipped about the rumours, telling her Radio 5 colleague to "put the papers down, thank you" after he spotted The Mirror's front page story about the pair.
However, while Helen was said to have enjoyed striking up a new bond, it wasn't Vito's first rodeo when it comes to falling victim to the so-called Strictly curse, as he also struck up a relationship on the Italian dance competition series, Ballando con le Stelle…
Italian Strictly co-star romance
In 2021, Vito was rumoured to have grown close to his celebrity dance partner Arisa – an Italian singer, born Rosalba Pippa. They confirmed they were dating after the show ended and were together for a year. However, recent reports in Italy suggest they split after hitting a "rocky patch".
Vito confirmed their breakup – which was said to be on "good terms" – to a local outlet. He said: "We have remained on good terms, but ours is only a friendly one. We are not a couple, we are not talking about coexistence: today we are not together."
Arisa also seemed to hint at her breakup with the dancer before the release of her single Tu Mi Perdicion in 2022. She said beneath a post on Instagram: "My heart went through a very hard time for the first time in my life, I shed many tears and fought with the obsession of an idea that stole my smile for months. A circular thought, made up of sleepless nights, as if I had a strange fever that took away my hunger and desire for anything.
"I'm better now. I understood that I had never felt true love before and I discovered that I was able to give so much. I don't care about the outcome. I'm proud of myself and would do it again a thousand times," she concluded."
Arisa has previously spoken openly about her former relationship with Vito. In a chat with Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera, she confessed to still being 'in love' with him, though she didn't say his name.
"I'm in love," she declared. "But that's the problem, that we're not together. And not being together at a distance is very difficult. He wants to lead his life and would like me to be there without being intrusive. But I'm not one for strategies, the one who doesn't text you or lets it ring empty…Life is short."
Sizzling chemistry with Ellie
Strictly stars Ellie and Vito have been the talk of the town with rumours of a romance since the show began.
Fans are sure they're a couple, especially after Sherlock star, Amanda Abbington, who left the show last month, called them a "beautiful couple" over the weekend.
Adding fuel to the fire, Vito called Ellie "my baby" in a sweet Instagram post after he gave her two big kisses on the cheek when they made it to the next round of the competition on Sunday.
Ellie, who reportedly split with her ex in May amid rumours of cheating, is said to be smitten with Vito, who she admitted to Closer magazine was now "part of her family" and loves her mum's cooking…
The ex-Coronation Street actress and the Italian champ have become the favourites to win the Glitterball trophy due to their amazing chemistry and dance moves.
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One at 6.40pm on Saturday
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