Strictly Come Dancing finalist Ellie Leach was reduced to tears after receiving messages of support from loved ones, including her cousin, former Coronation Street star Brooke Vincent, on Friday’s It Takes Two. The actress and her professional partner Vito
Coppola were appearing on the show to talk about their dances for Saturday night.
Host Janette Manara played Ellie the clip which, alongside Brooke, featured her parents, sister and best friend all sending her their best wishes. As it played Ellie was shown in the corner of the screen and she could be seen visibly welling up.
Brooke couldn’t hide her prize in her young cousin, who also starred in the Manchester based soap. “Ellie is like the loveliest person,” the mum of two gushed.
“Every week when we sit down and watch her it’s like we see a new part of her come out. She’s grown up like a woman, she’s grown in confidence She’s just growing,” she said.
Ellie’s parents Alan and Karen were also extremly emotional as they told how proud they were of their daughter. “She’s always been quite shy and really loveable,” said her mum.
“Proudest parents in the world just watching her doing what she’s doing,” her father said. “Its just overwhelming to watch her every week watch her go out there and shine and just know she’s having the time of her life,” her tearful mum added.
It was all to much for Ellie was cocmforted by Vito as she wiped her eyes with a tissue when the camera cut back to them. Obviously choked up she had difficulty speaking following the beautiful tributes.
For the final, all three couples will perform three dances, one chosen by the judges, one chosen by them, and their show dance.
Ellie and Vito have chosen their American Smooth to Ain’t That A Kick In The Head by Robbie Williams for their favourite dance of the series.
Their show dance will be a Jennifer Lopez Megamix, alongside the judges picking their fiery Paso Doble to Insomnia by 2WEI.
Bobby and Dianne have chosen their Couple’s Choice to This Woman’s Work by Maxwell as their favourite of the series. Their show dance will be to a La La Land Medley and the judges have chosen the Samba to Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton.
Meanwhile, Layton and Nikita’s favourite is the Argentine Tango to Tattoo by Loreen.
Their show dance will be to Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo and the judges picked the Quickstep to Puttin’ On The Ritz by Gregory Porter.
The Strictly Come Dancing final is on BBC One on Saturday at 7pm.