Vito Coppola has left the Strictly Come Dancing fandom crying their eyes out after he embraced Ellie Goldstein following their elimination.
The 23-year-old performer, who broke new ground as the programme’s first participant with Down syndrome on the main series, departed during Sunday evening’s results programme.
The model and her Italian partner found themselves at risk following Halloween week’s performances, landing in the dreaded dance-off for the first time.
The dance-off pitted Ms Goldstein and Mr Coppola against EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and her partner Julian Caillon.
BBC Strictly: Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola left the show on Sunday
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BBC
Both pairs repeated their Saturday night performances, with Ms Goldstein and Mr Coppola delivering their Tango to Lady Gaga’s Abracadabra whilst Ms Sopal and Mr Caillon performed their Rumba to Shakespears Sister’s Stay.
The judging panel reached a unanimous verdict to keep Ms Sopal and Mr Caillon in the competition. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke all voted to save the EastEnders star.
Head judge Shirley Ballas confirmed she would have made the same choice, though she praised Ms Goldstein as “outstanding throughout the whole competition”.
The farewell proved particularly emotional, with Mr Coppola expressing deep affection for his partner.
BBC Strictly: Ellie Goldstein faced Balvinder Sopal in the dance-off
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BBC
“Honestly, there are no words I can use to describe how proud I am of you, and you did really change my life so much,” he told Goldstein. “You made me such a better person.”
The professional dancer revealed he had prayed for “a beautiful angel” to enter his life at the year’s start.
“I’ve never had a little sister, but I always wanted one. Now, I have you and you’re my little sister forever, and your big brother is always by your side,” he added.
Ms Goldstein responded warmly: “I’ve enjoyed it so much! He is a kind person, and all I wanted from day one. You have been so heartwarming, thank you to you.”
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BBC Strictly: Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola spoke to Tess after their elimination
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BBC
The duo shared one final dance before their co-stars rallied around them while the Strictly fandom flocked to social media to share their thoughts on the elimination.
One X user reacted to the moment: “This series has only made me love Vito more, he’s been the perfect partner. Supportive and loving, a genuinely beautiful human being. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
“Why am I crying, oh Vito #strictly,” a second echoed before a third said: “I’m sobbing on a Sunday night! Vito and Ellie are the sweetest #Strictly.”
Elsewhere, a fourth put: “Tell me why I’m sat here sobbing at Ellie going. It’s because I won’t see Vito on a Saturday night I’m sure. #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.”
A fifth concurred: “What an absolute sweetheart #vito is, he has shown what an absolute lovely man he is #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly well done #ellie.”
“#Strictly Anybody else a sobbing mess or is it just me,” added a sixth before another commented: “Not Vito having us all bawling on a Sunday night trying to wind down🥹 Well done Ellie! #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing.”
BBC Strictly: Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola said their farewells
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BBC
And an eighth simply put: “Just Vito making me cry. He’s so so lovely #Strictly.” (sic)
Following Ms Goldstein’s elimination, just nine couples remain in the race to lift this year’s Glitterball Trophy.