Ellie Leach, the 25-year-old star of Coronation Street and Strictly Come Dancing champion, has inadvertently sparked a flurry of speculation among fans after sharing and then quickly deleting a photograph on Instagram that appeared to feature a new romantic interest. The image, posted to her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, was a black-and-white snapshot taken from above, capturing Leach’s hand intertwined with another person’s as they walked together. A caption on the photo read, “Happy Birthday,” accompanied by a red heart emoji.
Speculation Surrounds New Relationship
While Leach swiftly removed the post from her stories, the brief glimpse of a potential new partner was enough to set tongues wagging. Fans are now actively speculating about whether the former Coronation Street actress has found love again. Leach has generally maintained a private stance regarding her personal life, and her romantic relationships have not been widely publicized since her time on the popular BBC dancing competition.
Past Romantic Links and Rumors
During her successful run on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, Leach was frequently linked with fellow competitor Bobby Brazier. Despite persistent rumors, both Leach and Brazier consistently denied any romantic involvement, attributing their close bond to the shared experience of the show. However, reports emerged in March of that year suggesting the pair had decided to part ways due to their increasingly divergent career paths and busy schedules. This decision reportedly came just weeks after their rumored romance first came to light.
From Dance Floor to Separate Paths
Dating rumors between Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier initially surfaced in December during the Strictly Come Dancing live shows. Their connection appeared to deepen during the program’s subsequent UK tour in January and February. However, as Brazier resumed his role as Freddie Slater in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, Leach embarked on a theatrical tour for the stage production of Cluedo. An insider reportedly commented on their situation, suggesting that while their relationship blossomed during the close proximity of the tour, the end of the tour led to significantly less time together. This separation, the source indicated, provided them with space to contemplate their futures, which were likely to lead them in different directions. Consequently, they reportedly opted to end their potential romance while their friendship remained strong, valuing that connection above all else.
Strictly Success and Professional Partnerships
Ellie Leach and her professional dance partner, Vito Coppola, were ultimately crowned the champions of Strictly Come Dancing. Throughout the series, the pair were also the subject of persistent romance rumors. Leach made history as the youngest-ever winner of the show, triumphing over competitors including Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams. Despite the speculation, Leach and Coppola have publicly clarified their relationship, with Coppola stating last week that they are “going nowhere” but confirming they maintain a close friendship.
Previous Long-Term Relationship
Prior to her involvement with Bobby Brazier and the subsequent Strictly rumors, Ellie Leach was in a long-term relationship with her boyfriend of five years, Reagan Pettman. The couple’s relationship ended in May 2023. Reports at the time indicated that Pettman confessed to kissing another woman during a night out in November 2022. He recounted an incident during a bar crawl in his hometown of Preston where he engaged in conversation with a woman on the dance floor, leading to a kiss. Pettman stated he could no longer recall the woman’s appearance. He reportedly waited until March 2023 to disclose the infidelity to Leach, explaining that he had struggled to find the right moment to tell her, despite feeling she deserved to know out of respect. Although Pettman expressed hope that they could overcome the difficulties, Leach ultimately decided she could no longer trust him, leading to the end of their five-year relationship.
Conclusion: A Private Life Under Scrutiny
The recent Instagram post, though quickly deleted, highlights the intense public interest in Ellie Leach’s personal life, particularly her romantic endeavors. As a public figure who has experienced both significant professional success and public scrutiny of her relationships, Leach’s private moments often become subjects of widespread discussion and fan speculation.
