Ellie Leach reduced to tears as 'overwhelming' Strictly Tour takes hidden toll
Former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach has tearfully revealed the hidden toll of taking part in Strictly Come Dancing as she opened up about her experience of touring with the show during the latest episode of Drama Queens. Picking up during a hotel stay in London ahead of a glamorous awards show, Ellie told the cameras how she had been living out of a suitcase following her iconic win last December, with most of her days spent travelling around the country from performance to performance.
Initially, Ellie said: “I literally just got off the Strictly tour last night, which was very, very emotional but there’s no rest for the wicked and it’s straight off to the TV Choice Awards. I haven’t done anything event-y, for ages. So yeah, I’m excited.”
However, this was only the beginning of Ellie’s experience, as she later told the cameras: “Finishing Strictly and finishing the tour, I am completely overwhelmed. I’m kind of having to come to terms with the fact that Strictly is over; it’s done, and I’m not going to be dancing anymore.”
She then continued: “For me, being away from home and being away from my family is hard. This is my life these days, living out of hotel rooms and I don’t think that’s going to be stopping anytime soon.”
“It was so, so, nice to be with everyone during the tour, but it’s not the same as going home and having a hug off your mum.” Becoming emotional, Ellie then tearfully added “Which is something I’ve not done for a while.”
Ellie famously won Strictly Come Dancing last December, when she and partner Vito Coppola danced their way to victory and beat some stiff competition to claim the glitter ball trophy. Since her ballroom success, the former soap star has gone from strength to strength with her latest project being on the theatre stage in Cluedo 2.
For the play’s run, Ellie moved down to London, which the show revealed is the first time she had ever lived away from home, something which had at times proven to be a struggle. During a chat with her cousin fellow Coronation Street alumni Brooke Vincent, Ellie revealed: “When I speak to my mum, and she’s like ‘oh I haven’t seen you in so long’, I think a part of me feels a little bit guilty.”
However, despite her guilt, Brooke encouraged Ellie to spread her wings and enjoy doing things on her own terms while she lacked any current financial or family commitments to tie her down. Brooke said: “I think this is a time where you can be so selfish. You don’t have any financial responsibilities, you have no responsibilities at home. You can literally just come here and be as free as a little bird and waltz around London like you have been doing!”
Drama Queens continues at 9pm every Wednesday on ITVBe and ITVX
