Former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach has shared her disappointment over the relationship scrutiny she faced while filming for Strictly Come Dancing.
During Wednesday's (April 10) premiere episode of Drama Queens — which follows the lives of various soap stars behind the scenes — Ellie met up with mum Karen to discuss life on Strictly, with the actor revealing she's found the increased media attention "difficult."
"It's not all glitz and glamour," she began. "I think that doing Strictly opened my eyes to being like... 'in a fishbowl'."
Ellie then went on to reflect on the media scrutiny she faced over her relationships with dancing partner Vito Coppola and EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, adding: "I didn't realise that every single thing you did would be put in the papers.
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"It's upsetting that people believe what they read. Nine times out of ten it isn't true."
The actor and her mum then discussed an article published in The Sun, where her ex-boyfriend claimed to have cheated on her. "It was a shock," Ellie said, before breaking down in tears.
"That article in particular kind of felt like all your dirty laundry is available for everyone to see," she said. "It's no reflection of [who] you are but it still feels like you've done something wrong."
Related: Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon hints at engagement in soap star reality show
Ellie starred as Faye Windass on the ITV soap from 2011 before bowing out of the soap in 2023 after 12 years in the role.
Following her exit from the soap Ellie signed up to the BBC One dancing show, later winning the Glitterball trophy alongside Vito.
She has since gone on to make her stage debut, replacing ex-Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan in the touring production of Cluedo 2 - The Next Chapter, playing the character of Miss Scarlett.
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Drama Queens airs on ITVBe and ITVX.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Brenna Cooper is a freelance journalist, who currently specialises in entertainment reporting. She joined Digital Spy in 2022, writing TV and movies stories for the site. After graduating with an NCTJ accredited Journalism Masters from the University of Sheffield in 2020 she has since embarked on a freelance career.
Brenna previously produced lifestyle content for Checklists.co.uk and has a specific interest in music, reviewing live acts and interviewing bands such as Confidence Man and Amyl and the Sniffers.
