Winner Ellie Leach’s ex has told how sorry he is for breaking her heart – with a drunken night out in a nightclub.
Reagan Pettman, 22, said: “I hurt her and broke her heart. I’m not proud of it.”
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Ellie Leach’s ex Reagan Pettman says he was wrong to cheat on her in a nightclubCredit: Andy Kelvin / KelvinMedia
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It comes after news that Ellie has grown close to Strictly co-star Bobby BrazierCredit: Splash News
Reagan says he’s happy she moved on with co-star Bobby Brazier — but still wants to win her back despite his betrayal.
He struggled for months before Ellie (22) admitted that he had been cheating on her.
He told The Sun on Sunday: “It sounds like a cliché but I was really drunk and it all happened at once.
“I knew what I did was wrong and I immediately regretted it.
READ MORE AT ELLIE & BOBBY
“I want to rebuild trust and have her back in my life.
“But if she’s happy with Bobby, then I’m happy for her. But I really miss it.”
Ellie and Reagan, both 22, had been in a relationship for five years. They met on an acting course at Manchester College, and went on their first date in July 2017, aged 16.
The relationship blossomed when Ellie shone as Faye Windass from Coronation Street.
Her character shocked the nation by getting pregnant at the age of 12, and later with a daughter.
But last March – shortly after Corrie bosses axed her role – Ellie was left heartbroken when Reagan admitted he had cheated on her four months earlier.
He was on a bar crawl in his native Preston in November 2022 and said: “I was chatting to a girl on the dance floor and then all of a sudden we kissed.
“I can’t remember what she looked like. I didn’t know who she was and immediately felt terrible.
“I couldn’t even remember what I was thinking or feeling at that moment.
“My friends immediately knew how I felt, so they said, ‘Let’s just go.’
“They knew they didn’t have to tell me anything because I already knew.”
Reagan waited until March before confessing to Ellie in his kitchen.
He said: “I tried to forget it but I couldn’t. I wanted to tell her, but I just found the time and it just went on and on.”
He said: “I came clean because it got to the point where Ellie deserved to know out of respect and it wasn’t fair that I didn’t tell her.
“I thought I could talk to her and we could work it out. I was ready for what happened and then she decided that was it, the trust was gone.
“I think it hurt her more because she also left Corrie then, so it was all at once for her.”
He added: “It was a mistake and I was naive. I was with her for five years, but when I grew up and started playing rugby, I started dating.
“I was wrong to be under the influence. I hurt her and I’m not proud of it. I broke her heart.”
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Ellie reinvented herself on Strictly after being booted from CorrieCredit: BBC
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Bobby, who is also a star of the soap, was incredibly good during the seriesCredit: BBC
The Sun told last week how Ellie and Bobby – played by EastEnders’ Freddie Slater – had been on secret dates and were seen holding hands on the Strictly tour bus.
They first flirted at the tour’s opening night at the Malmaison Hotel in Birmingham last Friday, partying until almost 3am.
Ellie was previously rumored to have grown close with professional partner Vito, but they dismissed the rumours.
After learning from The Sun that Ellie had moved on with Bobby, Reagan said: “Just a few months ago they were saying the same thing about Vito so I took it with a bit of a grain of salt.
“But if that’s the case and she’s happy then that’s all I’d want.
“Whatever she does, as long as she’s happy, I can’t say or do anything about it.
“I’m not jealous or angry. I just hope she’s happy.”
Asked how he would feel if Ellie and Bobby made their romance official, he said: “It wouldn’t be the nicest thing in the world, but at the same time I’d be happy if she feels like she’s found herself again. “
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Ellie and Reagan in happier times Credit: Instagram
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He said he voted for Ellie throughout StrictlyCredit: Splash News
Despite the break in March, Ellie spent December 27 playing Monopoly with Reagan and his family — two weeks after winning Strictly.
Reagan said, “She got my mom a present, and my mom bought her pajamas.”
He added: “I felt normal. There was no awkwardness and it didn’t seem like we were apart that long, it felt like five minutes.
“Just because something happens five years later, you can’t just turn off your feelings.”
Reagan said they also spoke on the phone after Ellie returned to her family home 35 minutes away in Greater Manchester.
He added: “I said if he wanted to try again or go on a date I would be happy for that.
“She said it wasn’t a priority at the moment and she didn’t want any unnecessary distraction and she put all her time and energy into Strictly so I was supportive.
“It was like, ‘Just because something like this happened and what I did was wrong, it doesn’t change the fact that we have a lot in common.
“With healing, it might be time to get back together, but that’s in the future.”
Reagan sent Ellie pink roses when she was confirmed for Strictly.
He voted for her at most three times a week.
And when she won, he sent a message: “Well done, you deserved it.” I’m so proud of you.”
Reagan added: “She doesn’t see how talented she is. I always knew it would go well. Whenever we went out together, she loved to dance.”
Despite Ellie getting closer to Bobby, Reagan revealed that he is not ready to date again.
He added of their split: “It’s a blessing and a curse because I lost the person I thought I was going to spend forever with.
“But you have to learn lessons in life.. and that might be one of the hardest I’ve had to learn.”
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Reagan says he’s not ready to date againCredit: Andy Kelvin / KelvinMedia
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Ellie and professional partner Vito won Strictly’s Glitterball Trophy in the latest series Credit: Guy Levy / BBC / PA Wire
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