Strictly's Ellie Leach has added fuel to the fire as rumours swirl that she and dance partner Vito Coppola have struck up a romance.
The former Coronation Street star, 22, has gushed that the Italian dancer, 31, is giving her the 'best time' and rebuilding her confidence.
This has only served to add to the speculation that the pair are an item as viewers witness their onscreen chemistry and Coppola referring to the actress as "my baby", "my Lulu" and "my diamond" on the BBC show each week.
Leach has also signed off with "love you" in messages to the Strictly pro on social media.
Leach told Closer: "I'm having the best time with Vito. Not only is he teaching me about dance but he's teaching me a lot about myself. He is very patient and he knows that when he pushes me, I can do things.
"Sometimes I don't believe in myself and he believes in me. I've always struggled a little bit with confidence but he is like 'you can do this!' I didn't know I had that sass. That's the side I didn't realise I had."
Leach is put through her paces daily from 9am to 6pm rehearsing Coppola's difficult routines.
"Body confidence is something I've always struggled with," she admitted. "Strictly has given me a newfound confidence that I've never really had."
"We really, really get along and we have a lovely friendship. I hope we can continue that."
She added to OK! Magazine: "We’ve got a really good relationship where we kind of know what the other needs. Vito even lets me have power naps during training."
The star is single after splitting from her boyfriend of five years, Reagan Pettman - who she accused of being unfaithful, in May.
Coppola has also been single since splitting from his ex-girlfriend Arisa last year.
