Get to know Hits Radio presenter Fleur East’s Strictly partner Vito Coppola
Fleur and Vito were incredible throughout the series
Last updated 19th Dec 2022
Hits Radio Breakfast presenter Fleur East put on an incredible performance week after week on the famous Strictly Come Dancing floor, with her talented dance partner Vito Coppola.
With the team at Hits Radio right behind her, we loved seeing the pair step onto the ballroom floor each week. Fleur and Vito certainly proved themselves to be a very strong duo, even earning the first perfect score of the 2022 season and making it through to the Final.
Who was Fleur East's Strictly Come Dancing partner?
During the official Strictly launch show on Friday 23rd September, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed Fleur had been paired with professional dancer Vito Coppola, who was new to the show this year!
Who is Vito Coppola?
Vito is a brand-new professional dancer for the 2022 series, but he’s certainly not new to the dance scene.
Italian Vito has been dancing since he was six-years-old, and he’s now 11 time Latin American Champion, a three-time World Championship finalist and also a European Cup Winner.
Although this is the first year Vito has appeared on the UK version of Strictly, he’s previously taken part in the Italian version, where he won the show in 2021!
Vito Coppola joins Fleur East on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show
Since being partnered up, Vito has been into the Hits Radio studio a number of times, check out some of the hilarious moments we've shared with him!
Vito proves he's a better dancer than singer
Fleur revealed the Vito isn't so great at remembering song lyrics and put his singing to the test!
Vito reveals his friendship with Fleur's husband Marcel
The pair get on so well they even meet up together!
We quizzed Vito on what he thinks about British food
From baked beans to pasta, here are Vito's do's and don'ts...
Vito gives some dancing body position tips
He's been keeping Fleur in check throughout the competition with his dancing rules and hilarious analogies.
Vito sings Christmas songs
It was getting very festive in the Hits Radio studio with Vito's Christmas song remixes.
Vito reads tweets about himself
We got Vito to read some of the things people have been saying about him on Twitter, and he had the best responses!
Vito shares a touching tribute to Fleur
After performing both of their Semi Final routines, Vito explained why Fleur deserved to be in the Final, saying: "Fleur is one of the best people I have ever met in my life, she is so humble, she is a pure soul. She doesn't know this but she saved me from a tough period that I had. She is so brave but humble, she never says no. She is so grateful and I am so proud of you."
He also was full of praise for Fleur when he came into the studio for a chat, calling her "one of the best souls" he has ever met. Vito also revealed just how similar he and Fleur are!
We can't get enough of Fleurito! Take a look through some of their best moments on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show!
Fleurito's best moments
What's next for Fleur and Vito?
The competition may be over, but it's not the end of Fleurito! Fleur revealed that the pair are still in touch and are planning some trips together. She said: "We're not ready to stop seeing each other, we've planned so many things like we want to go away next year. We're in each other's lives now, it's not the end.
"I want to take him to Ghana, where my mum's from, he's really excited to go, and he's invited me and my family to Italy to go and stay with his family."
Check out all of the Strictly 2022 couples:
Ellie Simmonds OBE & Nikita Kuzmin
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez
James Bye and Amy Dowden
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Why did Fleur East sign up for Strictly Come Dancing?
Fleur, who announced back in August she'd signed up for the show, revealed on the Hits Radio Breakfast Show earlier this week that she's received a psychic message from her late dad Malcolm, who sadly passed away in 2020.
After previously revealing he was the inspiration to take part, Fleur told co-hosts James and Matt: "In 72 hours I’ll be dancing live for the first time and it’s really exciting but something really weird has happened to me ahead of the Strictly weekend. On Sunday I had a message from one of my cousins who had been to see a medium – people that speak to the spirit world. Now I’ve never gone to a medium because I do believe in it and I’m quite scared about going because I never wanted to test it. But my cousin went and this happened…"
Going on to play a voice note from her cousin, Fleur reveals the medium says she's communicating with a spirit called Malcolm, who has a daughter that ‘sings or dances’. The medium goes on to say ‘his daughter is about to start something, she’s about to start an adventure as he’s calling it. He says to tell her I’m so proud of her and give her all the luck in the world.’
Find out everything you need to know about Fleur East on Strictly Come Dancing right here.
How can I watch Fleur East on Strictly Come Dancing?
Fleur showed off her incredible moves every Saturday night on Strictly throughout the 2022 series. You can watch her routines back on the Strictly Come Dancing YouTube channel and on BBC iPlayer.
Watch Fleur East and Vito Coppola's incredible Blackpool routine:
How can I listen to Fleur East on Hits Radio?
You can listen to The Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Fleur East, James Barr and producer Matt, every weekday morning from 6am.
You can also listen to Saturday Mornings with Fleur East from 9am.
Check out which other celebs signed up for Strictly Come Dancing this year:
Will Mellor
Known for: Actor
Will said: "I'm honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year!
"Not going to lie, it's totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that's what life is all about.
"I lost my dad in 2020 and from then I've just thought I've got to grab life - I've got to do things and create new memories. My mindset changed and that's the reason why I signed up for Strictly.
"This is also my mum's favourite show and she's had a really tough few years so I'm doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!"
Kym Marsh
Known for: Actress and singer
Kym said: "I've considered doing Strictly for years but the timings never worked out. I'm so delighted that this year they have! I'm a huge fan of the show and can't believe I'm going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress, it's unreal!"
Richie Anderson
Known for: Radio presenter
Richie said: "This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world! Strictly is the ultimate feel good show, as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it's just pure escapism. I'm going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I'm sure my friends and family will understand. It's also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it's so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show."
Kaye Adams
Known for: Loose Women star and broadcaster
Kaye said: "I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifties memorable and I can't think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me!"
Jayde Adams
Known for: Comedian
Jayde said: "Since I watched the first series in 2004, I feel like every step I've taken in my career over the last 11 years was to be on Strictly. I cannot begin to express the emotions I am feeling, this means so much to me and my family. I've always watched it, apart from a brief hiatus in 2011 as I was relentlessly gigging every weekend (to try and get on Strictly). I've been a massive fan of the show for years. I feel like I'm watching myself in a dream and I can't believe I've manifested this. Holding this in has been torture for me!"
Ellie Simmonds OBE
Known for: Paralympic swimmer and broadcaster
Ellie said: "Oh my gosh!! I'm literally bursting with excitement!! It's been soooo hard keeping this secret as I've wanted to tell everyone. I'm going on Strictly Come Dancing!! I'm a tad nervous too, well more than a tad… I'm absolutely petrified! To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it's going to so much fun. I'm counting down the minutes until it starts; learning to dance, meeting my partner and everyone else involved in the show. Plus wearing the sequins and all that, It's going to be a blast. I've been watching Strictly from as far back as I can remember; it's a traditional lead up to Christmas with my family and it's a genuine privilege to be part of it."
Tyler West
Known for: KISS FM UK presenter
Tyler said: "I am SO gassed to be joining the Strictly family! As I started writing this I already got cramp. It's going to be one crazy incredible journey which will no doubt be SO far outside my comfort zone. It's a show that means so much to me and my family and I can't wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins."
Matt Goss
Known for: Bros singer
Matt said: I'm extremely nervous and excited, but I'm optimistic because I'm very supple from the knees down."
Ellie Taylor
Known for: Comedian, broadcaster, writer and actor
Ellie said: "Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I'm absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022! I've watched the show for years so to be able to take to the dance floor is a dream come true, for both me and mum who is a Strictly super fan! At the moment I'm focusing on the excitement and glitter and choosing to ignore the fact that I have the dancing ability of a newly born giraffe. Bring it on!"
Molly Rainford
Known for: Singer and actress
Molly said: "I'm so excited to be part of Strictly Come Dancing, I've watched it for years and can't wait to meet the pros and the others taking part! I can't wait to learn the moves and get dancing!"
Tony Adams MBE
Known for: Former England and Arsenal footballer
Tony said: "To say I'm excited is an understatement - the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes. Am absolutely thrilled to be giving it my all on this year's 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing. I can't wait to meet my partner - god help her - and start the dancing."
Fleur East
Known for: Singer and Hits Radio presenter
Fleur said: "I'm equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year's Strictly line up. I'm excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience. It's such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my Father who loved it so much. Unfortunately my Dad is no longer with us but I know he will be watching over the ballroom in spirit. I'm doing this to make him and my family proud and can't wait to get my dancing shoes on!"
Hamza Yassin
Known for: Wildlife cameraman and presenter
Hamza said: "I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I'd be on such a cool show. I've been watching it for years and I can't believe I'll actually be there dancing live in front of the British public. My dance skills are currently at the level of '1970's disco vibe' but I'm ready to work hard and will be shaking it every time I get the chance – shake it 'til you make it!"
James Bye
Known for: Actor on EastEnders
James said: "I'm not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes - in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it's an honour to be asked and I'm going to give it my best shot. There are some huge dance shoes to fill and it's truly exciting to follow in the footsteps of some amazing EastEnders talent. I'd love to do everyone proud."
Helen Skelton
Known for: TV and radio presenter
Helen said: "I'm really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can't wait for me to get started."
How to listen to Hits Radio:
Now read:
Strictly Come Dancing: Everything you need to know about the 2022 series
All of the Strictly Come Dancing winners to date
Everything you need to know about Hits Radio's Fleur East on Strictly Come Dancing 2022