Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola are the new Strictly champions!

The pair, who lifted the glitterball trophy on Saturday night, have been hit with dating claims since the competition kicked off.

Following the success of Saturday night, Vito and Ellie spoke to Josie Gibson on This Morning about their win.

The pair were discussing their time on Strictly when Josie asked them about their relationship.

She said the couple had undeniable chemistry, but it looks like they're just friends.

Ellie explained that she shared a special bond with Vito and felt like she had known him for so long when they first met.

They may have shut down romance rumours, but the actress said they will be friends forever.

She told This Morning: "Honestly, we've just been having the most amazing time dancing.

"We've built a really strong bond and a friendship that will last forever," she gushed.

Ellie and Vito were crowned Strictly champions over the weekend and she praised Vito for getting her there.

In an emotional post on Instagram, Ellie said Vito is "the most wonderful partner".

She told her followers that the Italian dancer always made her feel safe.

"I trusted you completely but I didn’t trust myself and I feared that I would let you down but you didn’t allow me to. You believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself," Ellie wrote.

She praised the Strictly professional for always supporting her and for pushing her throughout the compeition.

"We were thrown together as strangers and we will leave with a bond and a friendship that will never be matched," she added.

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