Ellie is the youngest person to ever win the dancing competition
Strictly Come Dancing’s Ellie Leach has admitted that she’s ‘stepping out of her comfort zone’ as her major new role was announced.
The actress, who played Faye Windass in Coronation Street for over a decade, won the BBC dancing competition in 2023.
Paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola, Ellie’s win at the age of 22 made her the youngest person to win the show.
In what was an intense final, Ellie and Vito were voted by viewers as the victors over West End star Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, and EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell.
On Friday (May 2), it was announced that Ellie is the new Patron of women and girls charity Her-Place Charitable Trust in Winsford.
The charity, which is supported by fellow Corrie star Sally Carmen, provides crucial services to women and girls across Cheshire.
Ellie visited the charity to learn more about Her-Place’s campaigns to end period poverty and create equality for women in sport.
The role will see Ellie champion the charity’s Inspire project which supports young women with their physical and mental health, providing wellbeing ambassadors, coaching in Cheshire schools and befriending activities.
She said: “I got to hear about the Her-Place through my Coronation Street friend Sally and was just so impressed with the work it does, particularly how the Inspire project supports young women to grow their confidence and build self-esteem.
“Stepping out of my comfort zone has always been something I’ve struggled with. I was on Coronation Street from the age of nine so it was really scary to do something new like Strictly in front of millions of viewers.
“I had to let go of my insecurities and tell myself that I was good enough and worthy of doing the show.”
The Manchester native added: “Although I won, which was amazing, I then felt those feelings of insecurity all over again, going from the TV screen to the stage.
“I didn’t go to drama school, and trained ‘on the job’ as a child actor on Coronation Street so again I had to overcome those niggling self-doubts and say ‘Yes!’ to Cluedo [the theatre show she starred in].
“I’m so glad I did, it was the best experience and my confidence as an actress has come on leaps and bounds.”
Ellie said she hopes to bring her ‘own experience of low self-confidence to the Patrons role’ and ‘show young women they are not alone in the way they are feeling’.
“There are so many pressures that come with just being a woman but I believe that every woman should feel empowered and confident in their own skin and that’s why I’m so happy and proud to become a part of the Inspire Project at Her-Place.
“I’m so delighted to have this opportunity to champion the cause and encourage other young women to just ‘go for it’ and not allow lack of confidence hold them back,” she said.
Her-Place Charitable Trust founder Kate Blakemore said of the announcement: “Ellie’s role in Coronation Street tackled some hard-hitting issues such as adoption, teenage pregnancy and early menopause.
“As counsellors we support women and girls through all these and more. We think Ellie will be a brilliant champion for Inspire.”
For more on the charity and women’s health and wellbeing services follow on social media or the new website her-place.co.uk