Love Island's Davide hits out at Ekin-Su and explains what caused sudden split

30 January 2024 , 18:14

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Love Island's Davide hits out at Ekin-Su and explains what caused sudden split

Davide Sanclimenti has finally broken his silence after Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu revealed the shocking news they have split.

The Love Island winners met on the ITV dating show back in 2022 and briefly went their separate ways last year before rekindling their romance on a holiday to Turkey to celebrate Ekin-Su’s 29th birthday. After a rocky start to their relationship, the pair seemed more loved up than ever recently, had moved in together and were making plans for a “special year” ahead. Davide, also 29, even revealed the couple “never really broke up” as they were speaking and in touch the whole time they were on a break.

So it was a surprise to fans when Ekin-Su took to her Instagram stories on Monday afternoon to share she had “recently made the decision" to end their relationship less than two years after winning Love Island together.

Now Davide has issued his own statement after hours of remaining silent. In a statement shared with his Instagram followers, the Italian star said: "Life sometimes reserves surprises and suddenly wakes you up... Ekin and I, just after the ski holidays, decided to go different ways. It was a joint decision, but I was waiting to make it public to respect her time in the show. I don't know why the agreed statement changed last minute.

Ekin-Su announced their shock split saying it was her decision (Daily Mirror)

But Davide has since hit out at his ex-girlfriend claiming their split was a joint decision

"I agree, it was a beautiful story even with its ups and downs like all couples. I loved every moment, from the first time I knew her in the Villa until life outside. I really believed in us and saw a future for us. But sometimes in life people need to grow apart. Is just the direction of life. I will treasure our moments forever. Now it's time to focus on myself. I love you all always, thank you for the unconditional support everyone showed me from the beginning. Davide."

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It comes after Ekin-Su wrote: "The last 18 months have been a rollercoaster of ups and downs, just like every relationship. Davide and I both wanted to make this relationship work as we cared deeply for each other. Unfortunately, I have recently made the decision to end our relationship and to go our separate ways. Breakups are never easy for any couple, and we hope that our privacy will be respected at this time. I enjoyed our time together and will cherish the memories we made."

The Turkish actress added: "Thank you for your continued support. It's been so lovely to have you follow our Love Island journeys together since the villa and we hope you'll continue to follow our careers as we go off in our own directions."

The former couple met on the eighth series of Love Island and were coupled up for most of the time. Despite their fair share of drama in the villa, they ended up winning the ITV2 show beating runners-up Gemma Owen and Luca Bish.

Davide and Ekin-Su, pictured with former host Laura Whitmore, won the 2022 series of Love Island (Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

They moved in together weeks later but were hit with multiple rumours Davide had cheated. He later shut down accusations he "blindsided" his ex-girlfriend, before adding their relationship had "been on the rocks for months" and that he decided the breakup was for the best as their situation had become "unhealthy".

Announcing they had split last summer, Davide revealed: “Ekin-Su and I are no longer together. I am grateful for the memories and opportunities we shared together and I wish her nothing but the best. I would like for everybody to respect this decision during this difficult time. I will continue to support Ekin in any way possible."

He later claimed they never really split telling OK! magazine: "When we 'split' we were still speaking. To be honest, we never really broke up - we were always keeping in touch. But I think looking back now, I think the break helped both of us to understand each other more. We are more understanding of each other." He added: "It was probably for the best that we broke up. We came out of a TV show, we had a lot of stress and pressure from the public - which is really hard when you're in a relationship.”

Daniel Bird