Who is Ellie Leach, from Strictly Come Dancing and Coronation Street?
Former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach is facing an exciting new challenge away from the soap world, as she takes part in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Just a few months on from her departure as Weatherfield's Faye Windass, Ellie looks set to build up a whole new fanbase as she competes on BBC One's popular ballroom contest.
Corrie fans watched Ellie grow up on screen, but Strictly viewers who don't follow the drama on the cobbles may want to get up to speed.
Here's a quick guide to everything you need to know about Ellie.
Who is Ellie Leach?
Ellie was born in Bury, Greater Manchester in March 2001. She found fame as a child actress, appearing in TV advertisements for companies like Staples and McDonald's.
Other early TV appearances included roles in the 2009 film A Boy Called Dad and a 2010 episode of BBC One's Moving On.
In 2011, Ellie joined the cast of Coronation Street at the age of 9, playing Faye Butler (later Faye Windass). Faye was introduced when established regulars Anna and Eddie Windass decided to adopt her.
Ellie already had a link to Corrie when she joined the show as her real-life cousin is Brooke Vincent, who played Sophie Webster.
Ellie's character Faye took part in a major storyline in 2014, with the troubled schoolgirl learning that she was pregnant at the age of 12. Faye gave birth to a daughter called Miley, who went on to be raised by her father Jackson and his parents.
As Ellie grew up on Corrie and her role wasn't recast, she was able to transition into even bigger storylines as time progressed and she became a full-time, adult cast member.
These included Faye being sexually assaulted by evil Ray Crosby, and her involvement in a car accident that killed an elderly man.
In 2022, Faye was also told that she was going through an early menopause, which partly influenced her to start reconnecting with her daughter Miley when the youngster returned to Weatherfield.
In April 2023, news leaked out that Ellie was leaving Coronation Street as Faye after 12 years.
Reflecting on her time with the soap when her final scenes aired, Ellie shared: "Getting to work with your best friends all the time is just great. I've honestly loved being able to work with them people.
"And not just cast – crew as well, and everyone who's involved in the making of Coronation Street, they're all amazing. Everyone's amazing people – and I'm going to miss them all so much.
"It's been a whirlwind. [Faye's] had a very troubled life. She's been through all sorts. But honestly, it's been the best experience ever. To have started at 9 years old and to now be 22 years of age – it's been most of my life, it's been over half of my life. It's been crazy but I've loved every second of it – I honestly, honestly have."
What do we know about Ellie's Strictly role?
Ellie will be competing on Strictly Come Dancing with Vito Coppola as her professional partner.
In the first live show, the pair will be dancing a Jive to 'Can't Tame Her' by Zara Larsson.
Speaking recently, Ellie enthused: "I've always wanted to do Strictly, always! Ever since I was younger, I've been obsessed with dancing and watching dancing. I used to do tap and ballet when I was younger, but I'm not trained.
"I think just coming out of Coronation Street, it's amazing to have a new experience and do something that I have never done before."
Asked about the biggest challenge, she replied: "I think for me maybe the live aspect just because I've never done that before. Obviously, when I did Coronation Street it's pre-recorded and I think the live situation is a bit scary, but I'm excited. Again, it's something different, so I'm excited to experience that."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturday nights on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights from September 25 on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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