Ellie is actually one of the youngest contestants in the show’s history—but not the tiniest baby bird. The youngest ever was Lydia Bright from Towie, who was just 21 when she cha-cha-cha’d her way onto the show in 2011. So Ellie’s right up there with the young guns, which explains why she’s got that boundless stamina. Seriously, have you seen her jive? I get tired just watching it.
But here’s the funny part: despite being 22, Ellie is actually older than her dance partner Vito Coppola. Wait, what? Yeah, Vito is 24, but he’s got the soul of a 60-year-old Italian nonno who’s been teaching foxtrot since the 1980s. So technically, Ellie is the “younger” one in terms of life experience, but Vito’s the wise grandpa of the pairing. It’s like a dance-off between a caffeinated puppy and a seasoned ballet master—and it works beautifully.
But Wait—Is Her Age Actually a Big Deal?
Honestly, age is just a number on Strictly, but it does kind of matter. Younger contestants often have more flexibility and less fear of looking silly—two things Ellie has in spades. She’s also got that soap star confidence from years on Coronation Street, so she doesn’t get stage fright. But let’s be real: at 22, she’s still figuring out her favorite hangover cure (probably water and regret), while her older rivals are worrying about bad knees and early bedtimes.
Strictly pro Vito Coppola reveals "emotional" secret challenge he set
On the flip side, age can be a secret weapon for older dancers. Just ask 47-year-old Kate Silverton from 2018, who proved that life experience beats youth every time. But Ellie? She’s got the best of both worlds: youth and a tan from a spray booth. It’s a winning combo.
