Vito Coppola’s ‘Strictly’ Confession: The Priceless Moments, The Unspoken Trust, and The True Meaning of the Glitterball
For millions, the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom is a glittering, high-stakes arena of sequined dreams and dramatic routines. But for professional dancer Vito Coppola, it is something profoundly more personal: a crucible for human connection, a stage for raw emotional honesty, and the defining chapter of a life philosophy rooted in the concept of vita—life itself. As he reflects on his incredible journey, Vito pulls back the curtain on the magical moments, the leaps of faith, and the single near-disaster that truly defined his championship story, proving that the greatest victories are often found not in the scores, but in the moments of resilience and trust.
When the call came in 2022, inviting him to join the world’s most famous dance competition, Vito’s reaction was pure, unadulterated euphoria. He recalls the feeling of being “super excited,” like an exuberant “puppy,” realizing a long-held ambition. To him, Strictly wasn’t just a TV show; it was “the best in the world,” a platform he had always dreamed of conquering. The moment the invitation was extended, his answer was immediate, without hesitation. It was the beginning of an era that would see him become one of the most beloved and celebrated professionals in the show’s history.
The Life Force of the First Dance
Every pro remembers their first routine, but for Vito, it was more than an introduction—it was a declaration. His inaugural dance with his first partner, set to a vibrant Havana-inspired backdrop, will forever remain etched in his memory. Clad in Bordeaux trousers and a quintessential Italian white vest, the routine was infused with his national identity and personal ethos. The most critical element, however, was his opening line, delivered with a captivating smile and palpable sincerity: “Vito in Italian means life. And this is what I’m going to bring to Strictly: life.”
This statement was not merely choreography; it was a mission. It encapsulated his dedication to infusing every step, lift, and facial expression with passion, energy, and a life-affirming emotional sincerity that has since become his signature. This philosophy would be tested, strengthened, and ultimately celebrated throughout his time on the show, forming the bedrock of every partnership he built.
The Price of Perfection: A Historic 40 with Fleur
His partnership with Fleur East, the dynamic celebrity from his debut series, yielded several unforgettable routines, but one stands above all others: the electric Couple’s Choice routine performed in the iconic Blackpool ballroom. Vito describes the moment as simply “priceless.” Blackpool is the hallowed ground of ballroom dancing, a place where pressure is immense and perfection is rarely granted. Their performance was a tour de force, a dizzying blend of precision, power, and narrative drama that held the audience—and the judges—in the palm of their hands.
The climax of the routine saw a collective gasp of appreciation as the judges rendered their verdicts. For the first time in the entire series, the coveted ’40’ paddle was brandished, signifying a perfect score. Yet, the true measure of its impact was the reaction of the panel’s most notoriously unyielding figure: Craig Revel Horwood. It was the first time that the formidable judge had ever stood up in the entire series to offer a standing ovation for their performance. This act of genuine, unforced appreciation from a man famed for his critiques validated the immense effort, the risk, and the sheer artistry they had poured onto the floor. It was a golden, unforgettable affirmation that cemented their place in Strictly folklore.
The Unspoken Pledge: Trust with Sara Davies
The emotional journey continued with his next partnership, a process where a different kind of bravery was required—the leap of faith. With partner Sara Davies, a routine built around a dynamic Cha-Cha-Cha became less about the steps and more about the foundation of absolute trust.
Vito recounts a moment where the choreography called for Sara to execute a daring jump from a platform into his waiting hands. The fear in her eyes was immediate and palpable. “Oh no, I’m scared, no way,” she confessed, her apprehension outweighing the desire for technical success. This moment of vulnerability became a test for Vito. He didn’t resort to simple encouragement; instead, he made an unspoken, powerful pledge. “I said, ‘Find the word, you can trust me. I will never ever let you down.'”
That commitment was the turning point. Once Sara found the courage to trust him implicitly, the performance transformed. For Vito, the moment she surrendered her fear and took that leap was deeply personal. It was a profound realization that their partnership had transcended the competitive framework and had solidified into something deeper—they were “actually now becoming as one.” This Cha-Cha-Cha, therefore, wasn’t defined by its flair, but by the emotional courage of a partner placing her complete faith in his strength, and the professional’s solemn promise to uphold it.
The Waltz of Pure Pride with Ellie Goldstein
Vito’s time on the show was also marked by the emotional depth he shared with Ellie Goldstein, whose story and spirit brought a different kind of magic to the ballroom. Their relationship was celebrated for its warmth and authenticity, but it was their Waltz that stands out in his mind as a special, poignant moment.
The dance began with a simple yet evocative staging: Ellie starting alone on the ballroom stairs, an image of quiet dignity. The choreography brought them together, meeting gently in the middle of the floor, a moment Vito remembers as having “something magical in the air.” The Waltz was a difficult challenge, requiring Ellie to be both light and technically precise. Vito’s direction was simple but profound: “You just have to be light, and you want to float in the air.” Yet, he also pushed her to master the complex mechanics, including the box step, spin out, and spin in.
The beauty of the performance was how it allowed Ellie to show a “different side” of herself, one of pure grace and lightness. Watching his partner execute the difficult sequence with such quiet elegance overwhelmed Vito with a fierce sense of pride. He admits to “trying to hold myself” from the emotion swelling within, recognizing the significance of the moment not just for their score, but for his partner’s personal victory. This dance was a powerful reminder of how Strictly inspires, connecting artistry with human potential.
The Championship Climax: Ellie Leach and the 100% Dance
The journey reached its championship peak with his winning partnership alongside Ellie Leach. Their relationship, which he simply describes as “beautiful,” culminated in a final Show Dance that he deems the “most full-on dance I have ever done.” It was designed to be an anthology of their entire run, a concentrated performance that compressed the energy and style of the entire Strictly experience—a bit of Rumba, a flash of Argentine Tango, and everything in between—into one ultimate, exhilarating routine.
Yet, this dance, meant to celebrate their journey, became a testament to a far greater quality than technique: resilience. The choreography included a particularly demanding moment where Ellie was poised upon Vito’s shoulder. In a heart-stopping split-second, Ellie lost her balance. The crowd, the judges, and perhaps even the dancers themselves held their breath.
Vito’s training and instinct took over. He swiftly brought her down, caught her, helped her flip onto the floor, and together they stood back up, seamless and unbroken. The recovery was so quick and polished that many might have missed the severity of the near-fall, but the emotional impact was raw. Ellie’s immediate reaction was to apologize, her dedication palpable: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Vito’s response to his partner was the definitive moment of their championship. He rejected the apology instantly, focusing instead on her strength: “No problem. There is nothing to be sorry, you just have to be proud of yourself.” For him, this was the entire concept of resilience embodied. They didn’t achieve the perfect 40 for the routine, but to Vito, it didn’t matter. “For me, it was 100,” he affirms. The true perfection wasn’t in the judges’ paddles; it was in the partnership’s ability to recover from a mistake, to support each other under immense pressure, and to stand tall, proud, and united. This moment redefined what the Strictly journey was truly about.
The Greater Purpose of the Platform
Ultimately, winning the competition wasn’t about the physical, glittering trophy. It was, as Vito describes, “the end of a circle of an entire journey,” and for that, he is “very, very grateful.” It was the culmination of countless hours, emotional investments, and physical demands, all validated by the ultimate prize in the ballroom world.
However, the championship has provided a deeper, more enduring reward. Stepping onto one of the biggest platforms in entertainment every weekend comes with its own anxieties—it is initially “a bit scary,” “a bit overwhelming.” But that fear is entirely eclipsed by the realization of the platform’s power.
Vito Coppola has learned that his purpose extends beyond the Quickstep and the Paso Doble. The ultimate joy and validation comes from seeing “how much you can inspire and help other people.” The messages, the impact, the sheer reach of the show transform the exhaustion and pressure into an overwhelming sense of reward. For the man whose name means ‘life,’ this revelation confirms that his philosophy is resonating far beyond the ballroom.
By sharing his journey, his dedication, and his deepest emotional connections with his partners, Vito Coppola affirms that he is “doing the right thing in the right moment of my life,” and that he has found his permanent home: “I’m in the exactly right place: Strictly Come Dancing.” The ballroom is simply the most beautiful stage for him to bring life to the world.
