Strictly’s Vito and Ellie add fuel to romance rumours with very intimate pic from rehearsals
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Ellie Leach has again sparked romance rumours with professional partner Vito Coppola.
This weekend, the Coronation Street star, 22, addressed suggestions she is loved up with the dancer, 31 – and admitted her family “love him.”
It came after Vito added more fuel to speculation they are dating as they cuddled up for a series of loved-up snaps.
Now the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finalists have 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.”
This 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.”