BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Ellie Leach declares love for co-star as she arrives in Merseyside

Ellie Leach has issued a heartfelt tribute to her former Coronation Street co-star. The Strictly Come Dancing winner is renowned for her role as Faye Windass on the Cobbles.

The 23-year-old was a key character on the show from 2011 - 2023 and departed before she competed on Strictly. Ellie still enjoys a close bond with many of her co-stars and has taken to Instagram to send a heartfelt message to Lucy Fallon on her 29th birthday.

Ellie shared a snap of the two together at Haydock Races to mark the occasion, alongside the caption: "Happy birthday lu fal. Love you xxx."

Ellie was one of many soap stars to wish Lucy well on her special day. Lucy's Corrie co-stars also took to the social media platform to wish her well after the update. Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Platt, said: "Happy Birthday sweetheart."

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Sally Carman, who plays Abi Webster, added: "If anyone deserves a Colin the caterpillar it’s you." Tanisha Gorey, who plays Asha Alahan, commented: "She be glowing"

Ellie has issued the update as her acting career continues to go from strength to strength. Ellie is currently touring across the UK in her stage debut as part of the cast of Cluedo 2.

The whodunnit play arrived in Merseyside this week as it is being performed at the New Brighton Floral Pavilion until November 16. Ellie told the ECHO in an exclusive interview earlier this year how much she is looking forward to staying in Merseyside .

She said: "We are the North and we love a laugh. I'm expecting big things from Merseyside. I always think that a Liverpool crowd is quite loud so I'm expecting a bit of noise. We enjoy being on stage and we enjoy showing people the work we've done and to be able to have that reaction back live is amazing."

The soap star's favourite memories from coming to Liverpool come from when she visited Aintree Races. Ellie has previously spoken to the ECHO at Ladies Day last year and said she was going on to enjoy a night at Bongo's Bingo after a day at the races.

Ellie joked there sadly won't be enough time for a Bongo's Bingo party this time around, but is looking forward to sample some of the culture here during her stay next month.

She said: "When you don't live in a place it's nice to be able to see what the hype is." She added: "I do love Liverpool so I'm hoping that we'll be able to get out and about."

Ellie plays Miss Scarlett in Cluedo 2, which is a 1960s set adaptation of the classic board game. Ellie was drafted in as a late replacement after Helen Flanagan had to withdraw from the Miss Scarlett role due to "medical reasons". The Strictly winner admitted signing up so close to the tour getting underway was a whirlwind experience and thanked her co-stars for helping her quickly settle.

She said: "I came into rehearsals a little bit late and I was still on the Strictly tour when I started rehearsals for Cluedo so that was quite a chaotic time. It's the first time I am doing theatre so it's something that's completely new to me.

"I was really nervous and very scared but the team were incredible and they just welcomed me with open arms. I felt really comfortable."