09 February 2024 , 19:00
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She’s already won Love Island and shocked the Dancing on Ice audience by writhing around in a barely there costume.
Now Ekin-Su Culculoglu is poised to take reality TV by storm once again after signing for the reboot of Celebrity Big Brother just days after splitting with her Love Island hunk Davide Sanclimenti. She is likely to spend time in the house alongside the Princess of Wales’ uncle Gary Goldsmith, who is said to be in negotiations for a bumper deal.
The younger brother of Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, he is certain to prove a controversial signing. When the show returns on ITV2 in March - after a five year break - Ekin-Su is also set to be living alongside Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas, ex-TOWIE star Joey Essex and former X Factor judge Louis Walsh.
The Turkish-born beauty, 29, found fame in 2022 when she and Italian Davide were voted to victory on ITV ’s Love Island. The couple stayed together - apart from one brief break-up - until last week, when Ekin-Su announced that their 18-month romance was over.
New single Ekin-Su Culculoglu is set to appear on another reality TV show (Instagram/ @davidesancli)
Gary Goldsmith is among the other celebs tipped to enter the famous house (UK Press via Getty Images)She said: ”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.” She added: “Breakups are never easy for any couple. I enjoyed our time together and will cherish the memories we made.”
TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filming
A year ago she caused a storm on Dancing on Ice by wearing a sparkly, thong jumpsuit for her debut performance to Britney Spears’ Toxic. Despite being cleverly designed to emulate Britney’s costume in the original video, the outfit sparked 112 complaints to regulator Ofcom with many feeling it was too racy for family viewing on a Sunday teatime.
At the time the show’s commentator spluttered: “If you were wondering if Ekin-Su could bring any Love Island sass to the ice - then there is your answer!” But afterwards she admitted the criticism had got to her. “I was very upset,” she said at the time. “I had negative feedback, which saddened me. I’m not going to lie after all that happened, I was crying a lot. I went home, I cried in Davide’s arms.”
Despite wearing more conservative outfits for her later skates, Ekin-Su was the third contestant to be eliminated from the competition. Celebrity Big Brother last aired in 2018 on Channel 5. The reboot, presented by AJ Odudu and Will Best from a new house built at Garden Studios, West London, is due to start on ITV2 next month following the regular version which launched in the autumn. An ITV spokesman declined to comment on “speculation” over who will star in CBB.