Vito Coppola is back on our screens tonight for a new episode of Celebrity MasterChef, taking on The Traitors star Diane Carson and Sugababes’ Mutya Buena.
The 31-year-old Italian dancer and choreographer is also currently training for the next season of Strictly Come Dancing, which is due to launch in weeks.
The reigning champion, who lifted the glitterball trophy with Corrie star Ellie Leach last year, joined Strictly in 2022, and made it to the final that year with Fleur East.
Before Strictly, Vito appeared as a pro dancer on Italy’s Dancing with the Stars in 2021, winning the competition with singer Arisa.
He is also an 11-time Latin American Champion and a three-time World Championship finalist, who began dancing at the age of six and was already winning national championships by the time he turned ten.
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Tonight he’ll be swapping the ballroom for the MasterChef kitchen, after revealing he often cooks for the Strictly pros.
He said: ‘Since being in the UK, I’ve tried to practice and to cook for myself. And sometimes I cook for the other Strictly pros, I bring some dessert, some cake, in for them and I want feedback!
‘The first person who told me to go on Celebrity MasterChef was Dianne [Buswell] and I remember last year, after her first episode, she posted a story, and she gave me a shoutout and said: “Yeah, I think you should do it!”’
Vito added: ‘My grandparents were the only two people in my family who knew that I was going to do this, I made them promise if I’m good on Celebrity MasterChef then they’ll allow me to cook for them once, without them watching me and giving me tips, and just enjoy the food!’
As he hits our screens tonight, we’ve taken a look into his private and dating life – here’s everything you need to know.
Did Vito and Ellie date?
Ahead of winning Strictly last year, romance rumours were swirling surrounding Ellie, 23, and Vito, however they both firmly denied them.
The pair failed to directly address the speculation that they had become victims of the notorious Strictly curse while they were in the competition, though it was clear they had a close bond.
Ellie later said:‘Honestly, we’ve just been having the most amazing time dancing, and we built a really strong bond and a friendship that will last forever.’
Vito added: ‘I wanted to say that word, I love that word! We had a beautiful bond. When you connect – I am a very “first impression” person, and when we met we had that feeling that we knew each other since we were born! I’m so, so lucky to have you in my life!’
The year before, it was rumoured sparks were flying between Strictly finalist Helen Skelton (who was partnered with Gorka Marquez) and Vito, though this was never confirmed despite the pair reportedly being spotted ‘bonding’.
Does Vito have a wife or partner?
At the moment, it appears Vito is single.
In a recent interview with OK! magazine, he said: ‘At the moment, I am, as Lady Gaga says, in love with my art, with my passion, with my job.’
He went on: ‘I’m very lucky with my career. So at the moment, it’s just me, myself and I.’
How tall is Vito?
According to reports, Vito is 5’11 – which could hint at who he’ll be partnered with this year on Strictly.
Celebrity MasterChef airs at BBC One and iPlayer at 8pm.
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