Strictly’s Ellie Leach spent 12 years on the cobbles of Corrie, after being forced to to leave by bosses, with co-stars now backing her performance on the dancefloor
Strictly’s Ellie Leach played Faye Windass from Coronation Street for 12 years, and fans were devastated when her character suddenly quit the cobbles.
The actress, 22, was reportedly she was “left with no choice” but to resign, after bosses made it clear there was no future for her character on the soap. Ellie grew up on the show, joining as the adopted daughter of Eddie and Anna Windass when she was just nine years old, and is said to have been devastated.
Her loyal co-stars have now reportedly come up with a plan to ensure Ellie becomes a “big star” following her turn in Strictly. A source said: “Everyone has vowed to do all they can to get Ellie to the final of Strictly as a ‘f*** you’ to bosses. It was made clear to her earlier this year they didn’t see a future for her character so she was left with no choice. At the time she said she had quit but it was always seen as an axe.
“It caused major upset behind the scenes because co-stars felt she was treated really badly. So they want her to become a big BBC star and stick two fingers up to the powers that be,” they told The Sun. The actress exclusively admitted to The Mirror that her exit was a “scary” and “crazy situation”.
Speaking at the Pride of Manchester Awards in May, just days before her Coronation Street exit was officially announced by ITV bosses, Ellie said: “It is scary but I think it’s just a crazy situation. It’s always going to be scary leaving somewhere that you’ve been for a long, long time, but I also think with risk comes reward. So as much as it will be sad, you can’t live in that fear.
“To be honest, I’ve been working since I was nine-years-old so I’m going to go on holiday for a little bit. I think I’m going to do a little bit of a holiday and just do a little bit of travelling.” Ellie went on to confirm she wants to continuing acting after Corrie, adding: “I don’t have a particular dream role but I love the leading women roles in a rom-com, or like a rom-com series. I’m literally rom-com obsessed.”
Just two years ago she admitted she hoped she would play Faye forever. She said: “It is crazy to think it is 10 years. It has gone so fast but I also feel like I have been there my whole life. I definitely didn’t imagine I would still be here 10 years later. I am the type who doesn’t like to think too far into the future. I hope I am there forever.”
Ellie shared the news to her Instagram followers when her departure was confirmed: “Just want to say a massive, massive thank you to everyone who has watched Corrie over the past 12 years and supported me. And also to my Corrie family, I am going to miss you all so much. And yeah just thank you so much to everyone who has always said nice words and really supported me.”
Meanwhile, she’s become a favourite to win with professional partner Vito Coppola, 31, who she is also rumoured to be dating.
