Strictly’s Ellie Leach enjoys birthday meal without boyfriend Bobby Brazier days after going ‘...

STRICTLY star Ellie Leach was spotted enjoying a birthday meal in York with her friends.

However, her boyfriend Bobby Brazier was nowhere to be seen, despite the couple going "official" with their relationship just days ago.

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The Sun revealed in January Ellie, 22, and 20-year-old Bobby had been enjoying "secret dates" during the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.

But after going Instagram official this week, Bobby was nowhere to be seen as Ellie stepped out with pals for her birthday.

The actress was celebrating turning 23 by treating her friends to a posh lunch.

She was spotted strolling through the streets of York with her pals.

But the actress was flying solo, without her new boyfriend as she enjoyed her birthday,

This week, after months of speculation, the Coronation Street actress finally put rumours of a romance with her professional partner Vito Coppola to bed.

Ellie took to Instagram to share a series of snaps, including a cosy selfie with EastEnders star Bobby.

She also posted a snap of Vito, 31, on her story and insisted they are just good friends.

Ellie wrote: "Men and women can be friends and can love each other as FRIENDS. Just saying."

Last month Bobby - the son of the late Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier - broke his silence following rumours he and Ellie were in a relationship.

He told The Sun: "Ellie is a sweetheart, look at her…she’s beautiful, she’s amazing, she’s good at what she does.

"She’s a good dancer. She is a lovely lovely friend of mine.”

Pressed on whether things have turned romantic between them, he cryptically repeated: “She’s a lovely, lovely, lovely friend of mine.”

Asked whether there was the potential for things to be more than just friends, he added: “I don’t know…you’ll have to see what she says.”

Meanwhile Ellie recently addressed the possibility of a return to Corrie after her character Faye Windass was axed in April last year.

During her time on the street, the talented actress tackled some gritty storyline.

This included teen pregnancy, early menopause and her character was even sent to prison for attacking a neighbour.

Speaking on The One Show about a possible comeback, the TV star said: "I mean never say never! She didn’t die!"

Ellie went on: "I spent so many amazing years there and grew up there.

"They will always be like my family! It was an amazing experience there."

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