Strictly tattoos - all the stars who got inked after show from Amanda Abbington to Ellie Leach

Every autumn, Strictly Come Dancing sees a host of celebrities take to the dance floor to perform a dazzling display of ballroom routines. However, often the experience is extremely meaningful for the pros and celebs alike, with many making close friendships through the show, and some even meeting their soulmates.

Stars including Giovanni Pernice and Ellie Leach have chosen to mark their Strictly stint with a permanent reminder in the form of a tattoo. But strangely, despite the terrible time she said she had on the show, Amanda Abbington also chose to get a tattoo – although it wasn't Strictly related.

Here's a look at the stars who have got inked following their time on Strictly...

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Amanda Abbington

Actress Amanda Abbington, who's been in the spotlight during her dramatic exit from Strictly Come Dancing, was the latest star to get inked. On Thursday, February 1 this year, she revealed the new tattoo to her followers.

The Sherlock star shared on social media her new body art that seems to be inspired by the world's loneliest whale.

Amanda, who reportedly suggested that her Strictly experience eventually led to PTSD, showed off her new ink – '52 Blue' etched on her arm. 52 Blue is a unique whale that sings at an unusual frequency of 52 hertz - much higher than other whales.

The mysterious creature, who lives in the North Pacific, has been heard many times since the late 1980s but has never been seen, earning it the nickname "the world's loneliest whale".

Amanda didn't give any more details about her new tattoo or the reason behind it.

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola

Strictly 2023 winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola formed a forever friendship during their time together on the show.

They marked their special bond by getting matching tats. On their way to Nicola Oprey ink tattoo studio in Liverpool, Italian star Vito explained the meaning behind what they'd chosen.

"It is going to be a bee with an aubergine body," the professional dancer explained, a big grin on his face.

Holding up his arm to the camera, Vito then showed off the finished tattoo design, and there was also the word "resilience" inked underneath.

In the next clip, Coronation Street actress Ellie also appeared, as she stuck her tongue out in excitement to show off her new tattoo. The pair posed together, grinning, and highlighted the joy in their friendship months after the show ended.

Giovanni Pernice

Strictly pro Giovanni Pernice permanently honoured lifting the coveted Glitterball trophy with EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis in December 2021.

As he proudly showed off his completed tattoo, he chose the Queen classic We Are The Champions to soundtrack the video of his completed tattoo. The dancing star will now forever have "SCD. 18.12.2021" inside the show's iconic mirrorball inscribed on his lower arm.

Kevin Clifton and Susan Calman

In 2019, Kevin revealed on This Morning that he and his 2017 dance partner Susan Calman had promised to get matching tattoos – but unlike Susan, he hadn’t followed through with the plan.

He explained: "Well, Susan Calman said live on air on Strictly – because we didn't think we were going to make it as far as Blackpool at the time – she said, 'If we make it to Blackpool, then I'm going to get a tattoo saying 'I love Grimsby' on my foot’.

"And I foolishly said, 'Well, if you do that, I'll get 'I love Glasgow' as a tattoo'. We made this pact.

"But Susan was so brilliant and everyone loved her that we made it to Blackpool!"

Over a year after the pair were partnered together on the dance programme, Kevin decided to live up to his word – and did so by getting the foot inking live on the ITV show, and showed the results off to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.

"What better time!" Kevin laughed. "You've dared me to do it. I can't not do it."

Following the tattoo, Kevin said: "We've done it! I'm really happy. At the moment, I'm loving it. I think it looks really good, actually.

"When it first started, I thought this is really, really painful, like the worst pain I've ever experienced. But then as it went on, I started to get used to it."

Susan herself revealed she was “so proud” of Kevin for going through with the dare. She Tweeted: “Well done @keviclifton! You did it! Now we have matching tattoos we must marry immediately. Or something like that.

“So proud of you mate. Promise kept! See you in Glasgow next week for Rock of Ages!”