Strictly Come Dancing’s Ellie Goldstein is once again at the centre of rumours claiming she has left the show.

Ellie, 23, is through to this weekend’s Halloween Week on Strictly after she and Vito Coppola, 33, escaped last night’s dance-off.

But whispers are rife that Ellie has left Strictly since Sunday’s Results show aired.

Ellie and Vito are due to return to training today in preparation for Saturday’s live show. It comes after they sailed through Icons Week with their Spice Girls-inspired Salsa.

Taking to Instagram after avoiding the dance-off, Ellie wrote on Instagram last night: “We made it through to another amazing Strictly week! Thank you all so much for your support, love, messages and votes, it means the world.

“Special huge thanks to the @spicegirls for believing in us and the incredible talented @vitocoppola and thanks to the whole @bbcstrictly team, you are very special people. #strictly #grateful #TeamCheeky.”
Ellie Goldstein is at the centre of rumours she has left Strictly Come Dancing (Credit: BBC)
Vito replied with a single red heart emoji. Actor and CBeebies presenter, George Webster, has also commented.

Like Ellie, George has Down syndrome and he competed in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2022. George posted three red heart emojis and wrote: “You are both brilliant #GoEllie.”

Only Vito has posted on Instagram since. He has shared a pre-recorded video filmed on Saturday night, thanking fans for their votes. Strictly Come Dancing has been contacted for comment about the rumours Ellie has left.

This is the second time such whispers have circulated, however. It was claimed Ellie and Vito had left Strictly after just a few weeks at the start of the series. On that occasion, the rumours stemmed from a series of fake news posts on social media.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Ellie sparks debate

Ellie and Vito scored a total of 28 for their Spice Girls Salsa. Ellie was dressed as Emma Bunton – aka Baby Spice – and they danced to a medley of Spice Girls songs.

But some viewers have accused judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke for going too easy on Ellie when it comes to their critiques.

Motsi told Ellie on Saturday that her dance ability is “improving”, saying: “You are growing with this competition and you are a force.” Shirley said: “I can see you trying to do the things we have asked you to do, close your feet here, point your toes there.” Shirley also praised her for never making mistakes.

Anton, meanwhile, said: “So much to love and enjoy. Your flow is good. Earlier on, your timing was a little bit ahead. Now you have nailed your timing. Ellie, keep going – you’re amazing!”

Craig appeared to be the only judge to give Ellie a comprehensive critique of her technique and steps. He said: “I loved the energy but, Ellie, you needed a little bit more hip rotation. When you did that drop-away lift it would have been nice if you actually had your leg straight for that.

“I felt like the transitions need to be a lot smoother, from step to step. But the personality you bring to that dance was incredible.”

Writing on Instagram, one fan said: “Bless her she’s doing so well and having the time of her life, but the judges’ scores should be fair and they’re not. Her scoring higher than some of the others tonight is crazy.” Another agreed: “I love Ellie however I do think the scoring is becoming unfair….. George [Clarke] did not deserve a lower score than Ellie.”

A third added online: “Unfortunately until the judges start following Craig and critiquing and scoring Ellie fairly, then the better dancers are going to suffer, especially those with less of a social media profile or an older fanbase who might not vote online.”
TVGuide has contacted the BBC to confirm whether Ellie has left Strictly (Credit: BBC)
But others have thrown their support behind Ellie. One viewer said: “Was blown away. Ellie is improving week by week, her timing is getting better, her footwork and so much complexity packed into this routine with no mistakes and full energy!!! Amazed!!!

“Go Ellie!! For those in the comments saying she is overmarked- perhaps you don’t fully understand how much harder it is for Ellie to progress in this way, physically and from a detail perspective, perhaps do some research on DS.”

Someone else wrote: “Ellie Goldstein blows me away each and every week.”

Where did Ellie finish in the latest Strictly leaderboard?

Ellie and Vito finished with the same score of 28 as three other couples in Icons Week. This placed them in joint second from the bottom with Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon, and La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec.

Bottom of the leaderboard was George Clarke and Alexis Warr. They scored 27 for their Jive.

In Sunday night’s results show, Ellie and Vito appeared in the Clauditorium after finding out they had avoided the dance-off. They did not reveal their dance or song for Halloween Week, but Ellie said it will be magic-themed.

Ellie said she will be playing a magician and Vito will be a white rabbit.