Dancing Diamonds: Ellie Leach Waltzes Her Way to Glory as Youngest Ever Strictly Champion
In a dazzling finale that enthralled viewers across the nation, 22-year-old actress Ellie Leach cemented her place in Strictly history last night as the contest’s youngest ever winner. With her professional partner, the dashing Vito Coppola, by her side, Leach waltzed away with the coveted glitterball trophy in a thrilling victory that capped off months of devotion and artistry on the dancefloor.
Sashaying onto the stage in a shimmering gown, every inch the glamorous ingénue, Leach captivated the audience with a dramatic paso doble that saw her transformation into a commanding woman in control. “You worked that dress,” purred Head Judge Shirley Ballas, clearly besotted with Leach’s poise and precision. As Coppola spun her across the floor in a blur of flair and passion, their chemistry electrified the studio and brought the Strictly dream into dazzling focus.
The couple then unleashed a high-octane Jennifer Lopez megamix for their showdance, combining breathtaking lifts with the sizzling rhythm of J-Lo’s hits. Reveling in the courage of their ambition, albeit marked by one stumble on a tricky lift, the performance epitomized Leach’s fearless approach throughout the contest. “That whole dance routine was just flawless up until that moment,” said Craig Revel Horwood, ever the stoic judge, while still acknowledging the marvel of live television and the wired tension of daring greatly.
To round out the competitive trilogy, Leach and Coppola glided through their American Smooth to Robbie Williams’ “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” showcasing their natural rapport and crystallizing their status as this year’s couple to beat. “You have been so amazing, you are Strictly,” declared an emotional Coppola to his champion partner, voicing what the whole country was feeling as they hoisted the trophy among a storm of glitter and cheers.
Of course, the path to glory is never easy, especially with such fierce competition from saucy duo Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, who dazzled with a quickstep that earned the first perfect 40 score of the series, as well as Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, who earned plaudits for their goosebump-inducing tribute dance. However, fueled by relentless work ethic and unbeatable chemistry with Coppola, Leach now takes her place in the ballroom’s constellation of stars as Strictly’s youngest ever winner.
Twirling off into the limelight with energy and elegance way beyond her years, the future shimmers bright for this rising talent. But for now, amidst a flurry of sequins and celebration, Ellie Leach can rightly bask in her crowning glory on Britain’s glittering dancefloor, a vision of diamonds come to life.
