Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Vito Coppola was overcome with emotion after spotting his debut book on display in a Waterstones store, with a thoughtful member of staff stepping in to make sure he was alright.
The Italian dancer shared the touching moment with his followers on social media, revealing how much it meant to see his work on the shelves for the first time.
Vito, who is known for his infectious personality and passion for dance, visited the high street bookshop this week. In a video posted to his Instagram Story, he filmed himself walking into the store before making his way to a shelf displaying his book, Love, Vito.
After finding the book on display, the professional dancer turned the camera towards himself. He appeared visibly emotional, pursing his lips as he tried to contain his feelings.
Alongside the footage, Vito explained why the experience had affected him so deeply.
“I have seen for the first time my book exposed in Waterstones and I got emotional,” he wrote.
He also revealed that a member of staff had noticed his reaction and kindly offered him some water to help him feel better.
“And the lady came to check I was ok and offered me water. VERY GRATEFUL,” he added.
The small act of kindness clearly meant a great deal to Vito, who has been working towards this personal milestone for some time.
Vito Coppola’s dream comes true with debut book
The emotional visit comes after Vito announced his first book, Love, Vito, in March, describing the project as a dream come true.
At the time, he took to social media to share his excitement with fans, explaining that the book would explore his life through two of his greatest passions: dancing and food.
“Hello beautiful people. I am so excited to finally share the news with you all. My first book is coming in August! It’s called ‘Love, Vito’ and is full of stories about my life through dancing and of course food!” he wrote.
He went on to explain just how personally invested he was in the project, admitting that writing it had already stirred up strong emotions.
“I am getting emotional writing, because this is a project I have been working for a while and it’s a dream come true! As always I put all my love, heart and passion in everything I do and I really hope you will enjoy and love this book as much as I do,” he added.
Love, Vito was released in August. However, seeing it displayed in a bookshop for the first time remained a particularly meaningful experience for the dancer, prompting the heartfelt reaction he shared with his followers this week.
Vito returns to the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor
Away from his writing, Vito has returned to the ballroom for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, which made its comeback last month.
The professional dancer has been partnered with EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, best known for playing Stacey Slater in the BBC One soap.
Vito joined the BBC competition in 2022 alongside fellow professional dancers Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas. He went on to achieve a major career milestone the following year when he won the competition with former Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach.
His success on the show has helped establish him as a familiar face among Strictly viewers, but his achievements extend well beyond the television ballroom.
Before joining the BBC programme, Vito had already built an impressive competitive dancing career. He began dancing at the age of six and went on to become an 11-time Italian Latin American Champion, a European Cup winner and a three-time World Championship finalist.
The personal struggles behind Vito’s success
In Love, Vito, the dancer also opens up about some of the more difficult experiences he faced while pursuing his ambitions in the competitive dance world.
Among the personal challenges discussed in the book is a serious health struggle that left him feeling as though he had ‘disrespected’ his family.
The revelation offers a more personal glimpse into the experiences behind his professional achievements, highlighting the challenges he faced along the way.
For Vito, the moment he saw Love, Vito displayed in Waterstones was therefore more than simply spotting his name on a bookshop shelf. It marked a significant milestone for a project he had poured considerable time, emotion and passion into.
His candid reaction, coupled with the kindness shown by the store employee, gave fans a glimpse of just how much the publication meant to him as he balances his career as a professional dancer with this new chapter as an author.