Strictly’s Ellie Leach tipped to host top BBC show & be ‘millionaire by 24’ thanks to ‘savvy’ decision after Corrie exit
SHE was known as Corrie’s troubled teen Faye Windass and joked that she "hadn’t smiled for 12 years" on the cobbles.
But Ellie Leach has been lighting up the Strictly ballroom with her energetic routines since week one.
Fans have loved watching her sparkle more each week, and the 22–year-old, who started as an underdog, is now hot favourite to lift the Glitterball trophy in Saturday's Strictly final.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede told The Sun she has "all the makings of a huge star on stage and screen", and is on track to make her first million within two years.
And it helps she's "kept everyone on their toes" thanks to the rumour-mill being in overdrive due to her close relationship with Italian dancer Vito Coppola, Nick added.
“Her and Vito have caused water cooler moments for fans throughout the competition," he said.
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“If she really is seeing Vito, then they could be the next hot couple, like Gorka and Gemma Atkinson, and I can see them doing lots of personal appearances and performances.
“Ellie’s up against very strong competition but she looks set to be a winner no matter who gets the title this weekend.”
Ellie, who landed her Corrie role aged 10, had no previous dance experience when she took to the Strictly floor with partner Vito.
But she has wowed the judges, never scoring less than 30, and bagged a near perfect 39 for her elegant American Smooth in week seven and her Love Machine Charleston in Blackpool.
Nick said: “Strictly viewers have watched her gain her confidence week on week to be a serious competitor.
“Relatively unknown as she was, and seen as a child star in Corrie, she’s blossomed to become a sensational dancer and an audience favourite.”
Ellie, who was a teen mum on Coronation Street, bowed out of the soap earlier this year, and Nick said going straight into Strictly was a shrewd move.
“They say when one door closes another one opens - and for Ellie this door is huge and covered in glitter, with movie star lights all around it," he said.
While the BBC is reportedly lining her up to star in one of its soaps, Nick said he can see Ellie landing a big West End role.
“Ellie is a great actress, and has been nominated for lots of soap awards,” he said.
“She’s proven to be a fabulous dancer, so I can see her making the transition to starring on stage in a West End show.
“Now that she’s shrugged off the child star preconception, she will be offered other roles and perhaps even find herself swapping the cobbles for the Square and starring opposite fellow finalist Bobby Brazier in the Queen Vic.”
Other former Strictly winners have bagged successful stage shows, like sports presenter Ore Oduba and Kimberley Walsh.
Her raised profile could also lead to more drama roles, like former EastEnders star Kara Tointon, who won in 2010 and was recently seen in the ITVX drama Archie.
With her star in the ascendant, Nick reckons Ellie could find herself presenting a BBC flagship show - like Helen Skelton, who now fronts Morning Live, and Fleur East who's a regular on Strictly's sister show It Takes Two.
She could also up her Instagram following, currently at 333K, and cash in as brands flock to offer her collaborations.
Nick said: “Ellie’s become a household name and the BBC won’t want to let her go, so I can imagine a show like Morning Live will snap her up to get the younger demographic watching, as she's only 22.
“She’s full of life and vibrancy which makes her a star talent.
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“Ellie has a very strong social media following and with her fabulous figure and movie star looks, fashion and beauty brands will be snapping her up for campaigns.
“I can see her earning over half a million in a year with brand deals, personal appearances and presenting and TV roles.”
