Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Vito Coppola has revealed the touching way he supports his celebrity partner Ellie Goldstein behind the scenes of the hit BBC show.
Ellie, 22, who has Down’s syndrome, has captured viewers’ hearts with the infectious enthusiasm she shows during her performances alongside Italian pro Vito, 33.
During their Wednesday morning appearance on This Morning, Ellie and Vito spoke to Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary about how they prepare for the live shows, and explained how Vito helps calm her nerves before they step out under the glittering Strictly lights.
Dermot asked: “When you’re nervous, what does Vito do to calm you down?” Ellie replied sweetly: “Right so you do, ‘alright alright calm down calm down, I’m here baby I’m here’.”
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The Italian pro dancer has one catchphrase he uses to calm the model down ahead of performances(Image: PA)
Vito then reminded her of the special catchphrase he has for her, adding: “What do I always say to you? Remember that your what?”
Ellie smiled: “My big brother is always by my side, and it’s always going to be okay. What you do to me is so lovely. When I watch back I cry.”
Vito hugged her and said reassuringly: “But they are happy tears.” Ellie went on to tell him: “You bring me joy and happiness. When I see you come in a room I’m like, Vito I love you!”, to which he replied affectionately, “I love you too, sister.”
Vito explained how he helps Ellie manage her nerves on performance days. He said: “You don’t really get used to it, you know.
“I always like to find the key — take deep breaths, and I always tell Ellie that your brother is always by your side. There’s nothing to be scared of.
“We did this so many times, and even when you start on your own, don’t be afraid because you can’t see me — I’m behind you but you can hear me. So I keep talking to you.”
Besides offering emotional reassurance, Vito has also adapted his Strictly training methods to meet Ellie’s needs. Since she is a “visual learner”, he sets up life-size cardboard cutouts of the show’s judges and hosts around the rehearsal room to help her familiarise herself with the ballroom layout.
He even uses a whiteboard to map out the dance routines for her with step-by-step drawings and fun symbols — including pouting lips which means Ellie needs to pose, and a flower for open-arm movements.
In a video that was created with disability equality charity Scope, he explained: “Ellie is a visual learner. That’s why I decided to adapt my way of teaching. Showing where Claudia is, where the judges are, where the band is.”
And his methods seem to be working, as in the clip Ellie went on to speak about the joy she feels during training, saying: “Training went really, really well. And I loved it! And I can’t wait to start this now. Let’s do this!”
Ellie is currently in seventh place on the Strictly leader board, alongside Karen Carney and Balvinder Sopal, who also have a total score of 28.
