Strictly Come Dancing winner Ellie Leach beams from ear-to-ear while clutching the glitterball trophy as she leaves the after party

Ellie Leach was pictured beaming from ear-to-ear as she left the Strictly Come Dancing after party, just hours after being crowned this year’s winner during Saturday’s glitzy live final.

The former Coronation Street actress, 22, became the show’s youngest ever winner as she pipped Bobby Brazier and Layton Williams to the post after each couple performed three dances for the judges.

Ellie, who was paired with pro dancer Vito Coppola, left the boozy bash at around 3:30am without him.

She flashed her dazzling white smile while clutching the glitterball trophy in her car home.

Ellie put on a leggy display in a black mini skirt and a patterned trench coat, teamed with ankle boots. 

Helen Skelton put on a glamorous display in shimmering fishnet trousers and a pink blazer as she departed the party.

Amy Dowden bundled up in a black fur trim coat and trousers while smiling for the cameras.

Ellie and Vito, who are rumoured to be an item, were both gobsmacked when their names were announced with the soap star’s family breaking down in tears as they watched from the studio audience.

The overwhelmed duo choked back tears as they embraced before speaking to hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman .

‘I actually, genuinely cannot believe this,’ a stunned Ellie muttered before exclaiming that this was the first time she had ever seen Vito, 31, cry.

‘This is for you!’ Ellie told her partner, who said the win was just the ‘cherry on the top’ before branding her a ‘diamond’.

They raised the glitterball trophy as pyrotechnics sparked and confetti fell from the ceiling as they were lifted onto the shoulders of their former competitors.

The pair had impressed throughout the final after performing a Pasa Doble, Show Dance and finally an American Smooth.

The final of the three bagged them full 40 marks with the judges gushing over the actress’ ‘growth’ and blossoming confidence during her time on the show.

The routine was branded ‘flawless’ and saw Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all score it 10 points each.

Later speaking with co-host Claudia they struggled to contain their emotions with Vito saying: ‘For me, Ellie is Strictly’ before he wrapped his arms around her and said: ‘She is my winner anyway!’.

Their very steamy Pasa Doble opened the show as the sizzled in skimpy costumes earning an impressive 39 out of 40 points – as well as standing ovation.

Again the judges were full of praise as they revelled in the former soap star ’s improvement throughout the series.

But the evening was smooth sailing for the pair after their Show Dance proved a little less unsuccessful that saw the pair make few mistakes and a fail lift.

As Ellie tried to leap onto the Italian’s shoulders Ellie slipped, leaving him to save her before she hit the floor.

She looked upset at the mistake, with Vito putting his arms around her and repeatedly kissing her on the cheek in a bid to comfort her.

‘Do you know what’s amazing’ judge Shirley said of the tumble, ‘How how you saved it, you didn’t panic’.

As the couple then joined host Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the scores they were awarded 36 out of 40.

Earlier this month, it was claimed Ellie and Vito been seeing each other for over a month.

The pair have been under the spotlight after being accused of faking their romance in order to help win votes, but a source close to Ellie revealed they have been together for a few weeks.

Things between the screen actress and the dancer are ‘genuine’ – a source told the Mirror .

Vito reportedly has visited Ellie’s home several times outside of training while she has confided in friends about her new relationship with him.

‘Initially, they were friendly but as the weeks went on, their relationship changed. Ellie has made it clear to friends how happy she is with Vito,’ said the friend.

‘She’s not the kind of person to fake something like that for votes. Putting on a showmance isn’t her style – what you see with her is what you get. When Ellie started Strictly, she was self-conscious and unsure. Now she’s radiating confidence, which is lovely.’

There was stiff competition on the night with Layton , 29, also awarded full marks for his incredible first performance with his pro partner Nikita Kuzmin , 25, after the pair took to the floor with a lively quickstep which they previously performed in week two.

The judges gave him a standing ovation, saying how Layton had inspired young boys at home to dance.

The actor has come under fire amid claims his West End experience has given him an unfair advantage in the competition.

They also performed a showdance to Friend Like Me by Ne-Yo and their favourite dance, the Tango to Tattoo by Loreen.

Meanwhile EastEnders star Bobby Brazier , 20, and Dianne Buswell, 34, also impressed with their Samba but they just missed out on full marks, scoring a 39 out of 40 for their performance.

Later in the show he left fans in tears as he recreated his Couple’s Choice in honour of later mum Jade Goody.

Bobby was only five when Jade, who rose to fame on Big Brother in 2002, died of cervical cancer on Mother’s Day in March 2009.

His father, TV presenter Jeff, 44, single-handedly raised him and younger brother Freddie, 19, with the pair both shedding some tears as they watched on from the audience.

Bobby chose to perform the routine again in this weekend’s final after it was first shown on the show last month, with the screen star also leaving judges Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse close to tears as they gave their comments.

Viewers were again moved to tears earlier in the episode when Amy Dowden made her return to the show’s dance floor.

The professional dancer, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May, and underwent a mastectomy in July, taking this year off from the show while she underwent treatment.

While she has made appearances on the programme and its spin-off It Takes Two , she had not danced with her fellow professionals before the final.

But on Saturday she took to the dance floor once again, opting to go without a wig having lost her hair following her chemotherapy.