Strictly stars Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola reunite for ‘amazing’ royal event
The couple took to the dancefloor for the Duchess of Edinburgh
Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola performed at St James’ Palace(Image: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing stars Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola showed off their moves to the Duchess of Edinburgh at St James’ Palace.
Model Ellie Goldstein made history as the first contestant on Strictly with Down Syndrome. In 2024, Chris McCausland made an impact on viewers at home as the first ever blind contestant.
During her time in the BBC competition, Ellie was paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola and the pair built a strong bond over their weeks in the show.
After Halloween week, they received a score of 27 points out of a possible 40 points from the judges, it was revealed during the results show that they were in the dance-off with EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon.
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Sadly, Ellie and Vito bid farewell to the BBC ballroom as the judges chose to save Balvinder and Julian, At the time, Vito said to Ellie: “Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you and you did really change my life so much.
“You made me such a better person. At the beginning of this year, I said to myself, ‘Please, please, please can you send me a beautiful angel into my life?’ And now you arrived.
“I’ve never had a little sister but I always wanted one. Now, I have you and you’re my little sister forever, and your big brother is always by your side.”
Ellie added: “I’ve enjoyed it so much [dancing with Vito]! He is a kind person and all I wanted from day one. You have been so heartwarming, thank you to you [Vito].”
They danced for the Duchess of Edinburgh in collaboration with Mencap(Image: PA)
Now, the pair took to the dance floor again at St James’s Palace after the Duchess of Edinburgh hosted a special afternoon tea. Ellie, a Mencap Myth Buster ambassador who took her mother Yvonne to the event, said Sophie asked lots of questions about her time on Strictly and described the experience as “amazing”.
She said: “It means so much to be recognised by a member of the royal family. I’m proud to show that people with a learning disability can achieve their dreams and to never give up what they want to do.”
Vito also praised Ellie, adding that she now feels like a little sister for him as he gushed: “Everyone learns differently and dancing with someone who has a learning disability means thinking outside the box and understanding how to communicate and teach in the best way that works for them.”
Jon Sparkes, the chief executive of Mencap which celebrates its 80th birthday this year, was among the guests at the event who said it showed how Ellie’s influence is “helping to drive lasting change in attitudes and expectations”.
“It recognises not only Ellie’s talent and determination, but the way she has challenged assumptions and opened hearts and minds across the country,” he said.
Nguồn: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/strictly-stars-ellie-goldstein-vito-33553485
