Ekin-Su Culculoglu, series eight champion of Love Island, is the first bombshell to arrive on Love Island All Stars. The 30 year old Turkish beauty, who clinched the win on ITV2’s hit dating series with her now ex-beau Davide Sanclimenti in 2022, has come back for another shot at romance.
However, Ekin-Su’s second stint is already proving challenging as host Maya Jama stunned viewers with a significant twist during Monday’s (January 13) launch show. Following the pairing of 12 stunning singles through a public vote, Ekin-Su entered the villa.
After her warm welcome, Maya Jama dropped the bombshell that Ekin-Su could pick any male contestant to pair up with.
The episode ended on a cliffhanger, leaving audiences hanging until Tuesday (January 14) to discover Ekin-Su’s choice on All Stars, reports the Daily Star.
On social media, fans shared their hopes of Davide returning to Love Island. One viewer wrote: “Could you imagine if Davide came back. His famous lines ‘You are a liar, an actress, go the F OUT.’ A moment I’ll never forget, we need his energy..”.
Another comment read: “Manifesting Davide to turn up,” while somebody else laughed: Lol not Ekin-Su! Now bring back Davide”.
Prior to her latest villa venture, Ekin-Su divulged her reasons for returning to Love Island, stating: “I want to return to Love Island again because it’s where my journey started and has a special place in my heart.”
“It’s somewhere I’ve laughed, cried and learnt so much. The fact that there’s an opportunity to do it again – why not! Why can’t a winner go back in and re-write her story and have a second chance? ! I think you should follow your gut and my gut is telling me to go back, so I’m listening to it.”
“I don’t regret anything from series eight and I wouldn’t change who I am. I’m going to carry on being me. I’m more mature now and I’ve learnt some lessons along the way – I might not react the same way as I did a few years ago, or I might do! W”ll never know until I’m there.”
Love Island All Stars airs Sunday to Thursday on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm