The professional dancer is best known for being part of the hit BBC One dance show, having joined back in 2022
Strictly Come Dancing star Vito Coppola(Image: Vito Coppola Instagram)
Vito Coppola has said he’s ‘happy to share’ an announcement with fans weeks after they were left saddened by his Strictly Come Dancing exit. The professional dancer is best known for being part of the hit BBC One dance show, having joined back in 2022 alongside fellow pros Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas.
This year, as the 2025 series takes place, Vito was seen being partnered with model and actress Ellie Goldstein. Fans of the hit dance show fell in love with the partnership before their journey came to an end following the popular programme’s Halloween special.
Their last performance during their time in the BBC One dance contest saw the pair deliver a tango to Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra in a magic-themed performance, which saw Ellie pulling Vito, dressed as a bunny, out of a hat. They were seen scoring a total of 27 points out of a possible 40 points from the judges, which left them at the dangerous end of the leaderboard.
Ellie and Vito then landed in their first dance-off, with the pair having to fight for their place in the competition against actress Balvinder Sopal and dancer Julian Caillon. But they were sadly the fifth couple to be eliminated from the competition.
While Ellie and Vito have continued to dance, having shared videos of performances they could have performed on the show and posted them onto social media instead, it has now been confirmed that they will be reunited again very soon for another dancing stint, this time in front of audiences up and down the country.
Ellie and Vito will be back perfoming for audiences up and down the country(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)
It was announced on Thursday (December 4) that Ellie will join Vito on the Strictly Come Dancing Live 2026 tour. Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington have also been revealed as joining the arena shows, which kick off at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on January 23.
Sharing the news on social media, Vito shared a video of himself and Ellie when rehearsing their Couple’s Choice routine. “So happy to share with you that my little sister and I are going to be on the strictly arena live tour,” he typed in the caption. “Very grateful to have the possibility to have this experience together and we are really looking forward to it #cheekyteam.”
Ellie was quick to respond, as she wrote in the comments section of the post: “I am over the moon. Beyond excited to dance again with my big bro and best partner. I’m grateful for this amazing opportunity.”
And fans were also thrilled by the news. gloriousbyheidi said: “My heart is so happy for you both!!! My Strictly highlight right there.” @danyser9 commented: “The best of the best news! So happy and proud!!!” @allthingskps_ wrote: “This is such exciting news.” @hydepam1 replied: “The best news I’ve heard today! Can’t wait to see you dance together.” @jaggerdebbie added: “That’s brilliant news, cannot wait to see you both dance live.”
Ellie and Vito, and Vicky and Kai, will be joined by the previously announced couples – Harry Aikines-Aryeety and Karen Hauer and La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec, plus, the legendary Strictly Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood, and tour host Janette Manrara.
It comes after Ellie said in a statement: “It was a dream come true to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. And now, I’m over the moon to continue my dancing journey on the Strictly Live arena tour with my ‘Cheeky Team’ partner, Vito! I can’t wait to see you all on the dancefloor!”
