Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola has shared the secret way he supports his partner Ellie Goldstein behind the scenes.
23-year-old Ellie has won over audiences with the delightful passion she displays during her routines with the Italian professional this series.
During their appearance on Wednesday’s This Morning, Ellie and Vito chatted with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary about their preparation for the live shows. Vito also detailed how he helps Ellie soothe her anxiety before they emerge beneath the sparkling Strictly spotlights.
Dermot enquired: “When you’re nervous, what does Vito do to calm you down?”
Ellie responded endearingly: “Right so you do, ‘Alright, alright, calm down, calm down, I’m here baby I’m here,’” reports the Mirror.
Vito then prompted Ellie about the particular phrase he reserves for her, continuing: “What do I always say to you? Remember that you’re what?”
Ellie beamed: “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 embraced her and commented comfortingly: “But they are happy tears.”
Ellie proceeded 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 the professional dancer responded warmly, “I love you too, sister.”
On the anxiety Ellie faces before the live show, Vito continued: “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.”
Ellie and Vito appeared on This Morning on Wednesday(Image: ITV)
Beyond providing emotional support, Vito has also modified his Strictly coaching techniques to suit Ellie’s requirements.
Given that she learns through visual methods, he positions life-sized cardboard figures of the programme’s panel and presenters throughout the practice studio to help her become accustomed to the ballroom environment.
He also employs a whiteboard to chart the dance sequences with detailed illustrations and playful icons – including pursed lips indicating when Ellie should strike a pose, and a flower representing open-armed gestures.
Vito’s approach appears to be proving successful as Ellie has continued to impress the judges with her routines.
For Icons Week, Ellie and Vito placed in seventh position on the Strictly leaderboard, level with Karen Carney and Balvinder Sopal, who also accumulated 28 points.
