Ellie Leach speaks out on 'emotional day' before hailing BBC Strictly Come Dancing's 'worthiest winners ever'

Ellie Leach opened up to her fans about her 'emotional day' before hailing the latest Strictly Come Dancing winners as the 'worthiest ever'.

The former Coronation Street star was marked a whole year since she won the BBC One dance contest herself back in December 2023 alongside professional dancer Vito Coppola.

Ellie and Vito emerged victorious during the 21st series of Strictly having beat off stiff competition from Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin and Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland says 'it's got to stop' and speaks out on Dianne Buswell 'split'

This year, actress Ellie, who was famed for playing Faye Windass in ITV's Corrie, has this year been supporting professional dancer Vito as he returned to the Strictly ballroom for the show's 2024 series alongside actress Sarah Hadland.

Following the final of the hit dance programme's 20th-anniversary series, Ellie took Instagram a picture of her crowning moment with Vito, which she captioned with the date and a face holding back tears emoji. She then shared the video of their winning moment and wrote to her fans and followers: "Emotional day for me today. The most amazing experience ever."

She also celebrated the new Strictly winners and alongside a video of their winning moment, she wrote on her Instagram Story: "Strictly Come Dancing is such a special place and I am over the moon that Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell lifted that trophy this year. An absolute pleasure to watch and an even bigger pleasure to know, the worthiest winners ever."

It comes after Vito also sent an emotional message to his Strictly co-stars on Instagram as they became the latest show champions after him and Ellie. Sharing a video which confirmed Chris and Dianne's win, he said: "Super, super happy and proud. Chris and Gorji [his nickname for Dianne] you have been amazing."

He continued to share videos of Chris and Dianne's winning moments and said: "I love you twooooo," alongside a string of red heart emojis. "You have been pure joy and sunshine since day one. Thank you for you have created something beautiful special and unique."

Vito, who is set to hit the road with Dianne in their own tour, 'Red Hot and Ready' next year, rounded off by adding: "I think I have never cried so much happy tears. Love love love you."