Strictly's Vito Coppola's relationship status - 'first love' and co-star romance to secret dates
Strictly's Vito Coppola has a colourful love life - rumours about Helen Skelton, a relationship with a co-star and, last year, a rumoured romance with his dance partner, Ellie Leach. The talented dancer, 32, born in Naples, caused a stir with Coronation Street star Ellie, 23. The pair lifted the coveted Glitterball trophy at the end of the series.
Vito has also been linked to Countryfile host Helen Skelton, who he reportedly "bonded" with on the Strictly tour bus. There were reports that the pair looked 'cosy' together. And Vito – who joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 after being on the Italian version – also had a fling there with his co-star. So here's what we know about his love life and relationship status now...
'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.
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Helen found herself suddenly single 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 were the talk of the town with rumours of a romance since the show began last year. Fans were sure they're a couple, especially after Sherlock star Amanda Abbington 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.
Ellie, who reportedly split with her ex in May last year amid rumours of cheating, was said to be smitten with Vito, who she admitted to Closer magazine was now "part of her family" and loves her mum's cooking... However the pair repeatedly denied they were in a relationship, saying they were just friends.
First love and dating
Vito won Celebrity MasterChef back in September, beating 19 other stars to the crown, fighting off stiff competition from This Morning presenter Craig Doyle and actress Rochenda Sandall. Speaking to OK! about cooking at home, Vito talked about 'date nights', saying: "Sometimes I treat myself. I like to prepare nicely, even though it's just myself, with a bit of decoration and food, and I light a candle and I say to myself, 'OK, I'm grateful for this, I'm grateful for this life, I'm grateful for this food.' I think of my family, because food always brings me to my family. I just feel very, very happy and grateful, actually. So sometimes I have a date with myself."
He also opened up on his 'first love', explaining to us: "I love dancing, and it's my passion, but food is my first love. I always say food feeds the world it connects people, reunites people and keeps people together. Before even starting to dance I've been eating, and trust me, I've been eating a lot!"
