BUSINESS & PLEASURE
LOVE Island fans think Davide Sanclimenti's break-up statement reveals a clue about what his relationship with Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu was really like.
Last night, we exclusively revealed the pair - who were affectionately dubbed Ekinde - had split after 11 months together.
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It was followed by a break-up statement from Davide confirming the news and insisting he will support Ekin-Su as best he can.
On the face of it the statement was very respectful and mature, but some fans have picked up on wording which suggests the romance was more business than pleasure.
The line that Davide was “grateful for the opportunities” didn't sit well with some fans.
One called the phrase "big yikes", while another wrote: "Was always business. He was with her on the show for the show. They stayed together mostly because they won."
A third said: "It was a business relationship from the start. I think Davide actually really liked her at the start and I’m sure Ekin liked him too, but I think majority was a business relationship."
Turkish actress and model Ekin-Su, 28, and Italian businessman Davide, 27, triumphed in the final of the reality TV show last summer.
They managed to beat finalists Luca Bish and Gemma Owen, and Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, despite a rocky romance, and they moved in together shortly after leaving the villa.
The pair jetted on a make-or-break trip to Amsterdam recently, but sources revealed they struggled to get things back on track.
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A source said: "They haven't been getting along for quite some time and they really tried to make it work, but despite their best efforts, they've decided to call it quits."
Davide confirmed the split in a statement on Instagram.
He said: "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 the decision during this difficult time. I will continue to support Ekin in anyway possible."
Viewers were gripped by the ups and downs of their Love Island journey last year which included plenty of fireworks and Davide spawning an iconic catchphrase when he branded Ekin "an actress and a liar" in an explosive row.
But the couple were dogged by rumours of Davide cheating with models, and Ekin confronted him over a suspected fling earlier this year — branding his lover a “f***ing slag”.
The Sun on Sunday saw messages from Ekin accusing the woman of “sleeping with my boyfriend” back in April.
Ekin also took aim at another Instagram model after finding texts from the woman on Davide’s phone.
The reality TV star was last spotted on the red carpet with Davide at the Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny premiere.
She looked sensational in an eye-popping black dress as she joined her Dancing On Ice co-stars at the star-studded bash.
But she has now flown back to Turkey to spend time with her family.
It comes after Ekin told The Sun she is considering moving there to pursue her acting dreams.
She told us: "I would actually love to go back to Turkey at some point and reconnect with some old agencies out there, who I was in a soap with.
"I speak both English and Turkish so why can't I have a career in both countries?
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"It is a hard industry and I think people always tell you, 'You can't do this, you can't do that,' but you have to keep pushing yourself really. Even when people say no, you have to keep going.
"The old show's finished now, but if there was a new project in Turkey, I definitely wouldn't say no."
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