Strictly Come Dancing pro Vito Coppola has revealed how he is adapting his ballroom training methods to support his celebrity partner Ellie Goldstein. 

The Italian pro, 33, shared how is tailoring his teaching to help Ellie, 22, prepare for the Strictly live shows in a video made with disability equality charity, Scope.

Ellie has Down syndrome and her needs mean she has a different way of picking up her dance steps to her fellow celebrity competitors.

Vito Coppola has adapted his training style to help Ellie Goldstein soar through Strictly Come Dancing [Credit: BBC]

Strictly Come Dancing: How Vito is teaching Ellie

Vito has explained that Ellie is a “visual learner”, which means she benefits from seeing her routines mapped out. To support her while training, he sets up life-size cardboard cutouts of the Strictly presenters and judges in their actual positions on the ballroom floor.

Show hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are standing to one side in the rehearsal room, while Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse are lined up at the front.

Vito is also using a whiteboard to write out step-by-step instructions for his and Ellie’s routine. He draws symbols, including pouting lips for “pose” and is making visual comparisons for certain dance moves. He tells Ellie to think of a “flower” when opening her arms outstretched.

Vito explains: “Ellie is a visual learner. That’s why I decided to adapt my way of teaching. Showing where Claudia is, where the judges are, where the band is.”

Vito can be seen dancing alongside Ellie in the video, which has been shared to his and Scope’s Instagram accounts, while encouraging her. He tells her: “A little bit of sass to the judges! Point to Claudia! Look at this! Like a flower, we blossom.”

At the end of the clip, Ellie is beaming. She tells fans: “Training went really, really well. And I loved it! And I can’t wait to start this now. Let’s do this!”

Fan reaction to Vito and Ellie’s teamwork

Fans have been left touched to see the effort Vito has put in to make sure training for Strictly is accessible to Ellie. One commented: “Absolutely love Vito and Ellie, he was definitely the best partner choice for her.”

Another wrote: “Just brilliant to see, shows how inclusive dancing can be. Good luck Ellie and Vito.” A third praised him, saying: “Vito is brain and heart, a wonderful teacher. Nothing makes me happier than seeing Ellie learning with that beautiful, radiant smile.”

Someone else gushed: “Vito Coppola demonstrating how inclusive teaching style shows how anyone can be taught to dance and with such a wonderfully effervescent partner like Ellie Goldstein, I hope you both go far in the show.”
Vito has explained to fans that Ellie is a ‘visual learner’ [Credit: BBC]

Who is Ellie Goldstein?

Ellie Goldstein is already a trailblazer in the fashion world. She made history in 2020 when she became the first model with Down syndrome to appear on the cover of British Vogue. She also fronted a global Gucci campaign that same year and was chosen as the UK ambassador for the first Barbie with Down syndrome in 2023.

Ellie has always dreamed of being on Strictly, previously saying the show is her “absolute favourite thing in the world”. When Ellie’s casting was announced this August, she said she was “over the moon” to be part of the BBC show.

Ellie has since added: “It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream. I know it’s going to be challenging, but I’m ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor.”

What was Ellie’s first Strictly dance?

For her Strictly Come Dancing debut, Ellie and Vito danced a Cha-cha-cha to Yes, And? by Ariana Grande. The pair earned 17 points from the judges.

During the show, some concerned viewers felt Ellie looked “overwhelmed” after the performance while standing in the Claudatorium. But Ellie has since reassured her fanbase.

She explained: “Sometimes my eyes get watery after a long day  I promise I’m not upset! I’m doing so well and feeling SO happy, and your concern truly means the world.”

The model added: “Yes, I have Down syndrome, but it doesn’t define me. Not even close. It’s actually the least interesting thing about me.”