Vito Coppola has been partnered with Ellie Goldstein on Strictly Come Dancing this year as they performed a Spice Girl medley on Saturday night.
Sharp-eyed Strictly Come Dancing viewers were quick to spot a touching moment between Vito Coppola and his dance partner Ellie Goldstein.
The duo graced the dance floor during icons week on the BBC show with a spectacular routine set to a Spice Girls medley. This comes after Karen Carney was left disheartened over her performance.
After completing their salsa, Ellie and Vito positioned themselves before the judging panel awaiting their critiques.
It was at this moment that fans observed the Italian professional tenderly embrace his partner and gently dab away a tear. Ellie, a devoted Spice Girls enthusiast who was channelled Baby Spice for their performance, appeared visibly moved by the emotional moment.
Fortunately, Vito was there to help steady her composure, winning over countless viewers in the process.
One fan took to X writing: “Vito checking on Ellie and dabbing away a tear. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing” They accompanied their post with crying emoji faces.
Fans were quick to support Vito after spotting the sweet moment(Image: X)READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Dani Dyer returns to BBC show after being forced to quitREAD MORE: Strictly’s Vicky Pattison gets unexpected message after she breaks down in tears
“Vito’s pride for Ellie is so sweet and endearing. #strictly #StrictlyComeDancing,” another viewer gushed. A third person chimed in: “Vito deserves a lot of praise with how he’s taught Ellie to dance.”
After their performance and the judges’ feedback, Ellie received another surprise in the form of a special video message from Emma Bunton.
The Spice Girls icon revealed that Ellie was her favourite contestant and expressed her delight at seeing her embody her character, reports the Mirror.
Vito and Ellie achieved a total score of 28 for their routine. Whilst Motsi Mabuse awarded the pair an impressive eight, Shirley Ballas granted them a seven, Craig Revel Horwood scored them six, and they received a seven from Anton Du Beke.
Meanwhile on the programme, Alex Kingston channelled Dolly Parton for a stunning performance with Johannes Radebe. The judges were absolutely delighted by the Foxtrot display.
Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe during icons week(Image: BBC)
Motsi commented: “This dancing is so tough, I tell you but you look like you’re floating on air. You did have a little hiccup, there, I saw it, I saw it. But you just kept it up!”
Following her performance, Alex confessed: “I spend half the week thinking I’m going to hate it, but then halfway through I realise that I love it!”
She also disclosed how Dolly herself sent her an encouraging message during the week. Expressing gratitude to La Voix, who was costumed as Cher, she detailed how the Country legend shared a heartwarming note with her.
The partnership secured an impressive total of 32 points. Anton proved the most generous of the four judges, awarding the pair a remarkable nine.
La Voix was adamant to beat their low score from last week during icons week on Saturday (Image: BBC)
Earlier in the programme, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman also acknowledged their announcement to step down from Strictly Come Dancing following the current series. The presenting duo kept their remarks brief, though their feelings were evident.
Claudia expressed: “We want to thank you for your beautiful messages, we’ve got another eight weeks on this incredible show.”
Tess then continued: “We cannot wait to spend the rest of the show with you, with our amazing couples and of course with these four, please welcome the judges.”
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
