What’s next for Ellie Leach? Strictly Come Dancing’s youngest ever winner, 22, ‘will be a millionaire by her 24th birthday and hosting top BBC jobs’

Ellie Leach is predicted to be banking a million pounds by her 24th birthday and hosting top jobs thanks to her ‘savvy’ decision to take part on Strictly Come Dancing.

The former Coronation Street actress, 22, took home the Strictly Glitterball on Saturday evening after beating Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams in the final.

Ellie won the hearts of viewers with her energetic routines and her steamy moments with partner Vito Coppola have set tongues wagging, with the two rumoured to be in a secret relationship. 

The soap star, who went into the final as the hot favourite, emerged victorious and the youngest ever winner of the popular BBC ballroom show. 

And according to an expert, her future is looking just as starry, as he predicts she has ‘all the makings of a huge star on stage and screen’.

Ellie Leach is predicted to be banking a million pounds by her 24th birthday and hosting top jobs thanks to her ‘savvy’ decision to take part on Strictly Come Dancing

The former Coronation Street actress, 22, took home the Strictly Glitterball on Saturday evening after beating Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams in the final

Brand and culture expert Nick Ede, told The Sun that Ellie and Vito could be ‘the next Gorka Márquez and Gemma Atkinson after meeting on the show and could take their dancing partnership to do personal appearances and performances.

According to Nick, Ellie leaving Corrie ahead of her Strictly stint was a ‘shrewd’ move as she could move into West End performing or other acting roles, like former contestants Ore Oduba and Kimberley Walsh.

He said: ‘They say when one door closes another one opens – and for Ellie this door is huge and covered in glitter, with movie star lights all around it’.

Nick also predicted that Ellie’s star could also take her to fronting BBC shows, similar to Helen Skelton who now hosts Morning Live.

Nick said: ‘Ellie’s become a household name and the BBC won’t want to let her go, so I can imagine a show like Morning Live will snap her up to get the younger demographic watching, as she’s only 22.

‘I can see her earning over half a million in a year with brand deals, personal appearances and presenting and TV roles.’

Ellie has barely put a quickstep wrong during her time on the show and never scored less than 30, with several of her routines scoring 40 and 39.

She had no previous experience but fans have fallen for the actress, who played a teen mother named Faye Windass on Coronation Street.

Ellie won the hearts of viewers with her energetic routines and her steamy moments (pictured) with partner Vito Coppola have set tongues wagging, with the two rumoured to be in a secret relationship

Ahead of her time on the show, Ellie split from her boyfriend, and said at the time she was looking forward to building her confidence.

She told Hello! magazine: ‘It’s been really nice to throw myself into something new. This is all about me now. I just want to give 100 per cent of myself to Strictly. 

‘I’m really excited to enjoy myself and hopefully get a little bit of extra self-confidence.’

Ellie, who was on Corrie for 12 years, said she was keen for people to know the real her rather than a character.

She said at the time: ‘People have seen me grow up on Corrie and might still think that I am still that schoolgirl, but hopefully people can see that I am grown up now. I want people to know me for me rather than as a character.’ 

Ellie and Vito, who are rumoured to be an item, were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star’s family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience.

The overwhelmed duo choked back tears as they embraced before speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

‘I actually, genuinely cannot believe this,’ a stunned Ellie muttered before exclaiming that this was the first time she had ever seen Vito, 31, cry.

She had no previous experience but fans have fallen for the actress, who played a teen mother named Faye Windass on Coronation Street (pictured on set)

Brand and culture expert Nick Ede, told The Sun that Ellie and Vito could be ‘the next Gorka Márquez and Gemma Atkinson after meeting on the show and could take their dancing partnership to do personal appearances and performances

‘This is for you!’ Ellie told her partner, who said the win was just the ‘cherry on the top’ before branding her a ‘diamond’.

They raised the glitterball trophy as pyrotechnics sparked and confetti fell from the ceiling as they were lifted onto the shoulders of their former competitors. 

The pair had impressed throughout the final after performing a Pasa Doble, Show Dance and finally an American Smooth.

The final of the three bagged them full 40 marks with the judges gushing over the actress’ ‘growth’ and blossoming confidence during her time on the show. 

The routine was branded ‘flawless’ and saw Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all score it 10 points each. 

Later speaking with co-host Claudia they struggled to contain their emotions with Vito saying: ‘For me, Ellie is Strictly’ before he wrapped his arms around her and said: ‘She is my winner anyway!’. 

Their very steamy Pasa Doble opened the show as the sizzled in skimpy costumes earning an impressive 39 out of 40 points – as well as standing ovation. 

Again the judges were full of praise as they revelled in the former soap star‘s improvement throughout the series.

But the evening was smooth sailing for the pair after their Show Dance proved a little less unsuccessful that saw the pair make few mistakes and a fail lift.

As Ellie tried to leap onto the Italian’s shoulders Ellie slipped, leaving him to save her before she hit the floor.

She looked upset at the mistake, with Vito putting his arms around her and repeatedly kissing her on the cheek in a bid to comfort her.

‘Do you know what’s amazing’ judge Shirley said of the tumble, ‘How how you saved it, you didn’t panic’. 

As the couple then joined host Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the scores they were awarded 36 out of 40.

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