Wayne Lineker reveals he once dated Love Island's Ekin-Su
Before she found fame on Love Island...
She found her Prince in the Love Island villa in the form of Italian Stallion Davide Sanclimenti, but it sounds like things could have worked out very differently for Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu's love life.
The Turkish beauty, who won the 2022 series of the hit dating show, once dated Ibiza club owner Wayne Lineker, according to the man himself!
60-year-old Wayne, who has dated the likes of Danielle Sandhu and Chloe Ferry in the past, appeared on the Saving Grace podcast, where he admitted he enjoyed a number of dates with Ekin-Su, after he 'pulled her in Nando's'.
Speaking to host Grace Keeling, Gary Lineker's brother said: “I’ve not watched it Love Island for a few years, but I did actually date the winner of Love Island, Ekin-Su, loads of times.
“She stayed with me at Seven Pines. It was pre-Love Island and we used to have such a laugh.”
Going on to reveal how they got talking, Wayne added: “I knew she’d do really well as she’s absolutely hilarious in real life.
“We just laughed and we’ve got so many funny stories. I pulled her in Nando’s. She walked in and I was like f--- she’s fit.
“I actually air dropped her my number and I went ‘text me’."
Of course, things didn't escalate for the pair, with Ekin-Su going on to apply for the 2022 series of Love Island and being crowned the Queen of the villa alongside boyfriend Davide.
Since leaving the villa last Summer, Ekin-Su and Davide's romance has gone from strength to strength, with the couple moving in together, landing their own spin-off show, and Davide even gifting his girl with a cute promise ring.
Despite many thinking it could be an engagement ring, Davide cleared up the rumours in January, saying: "In Rome we do promise rings, so now we are officially together and we live together, even though we are not getting married yet.
"I wanted to get her a ring and give it her for Christmas. I got her a promise ring. Yeah, no were not engaged!! It's a promise ring."
Check out Ekin-Su and Davide's love story so far:
JUNE 2022: Davide enters the Love Island villa
27-year-old business owner Davide Sanclimenti entered the Love Island villa on Day One, with viewers quickly swooning over his Italian accent and chiselling good looks.
Entering last, Davide was given then option to 'steal' one of the girls on Day Two. After a day of flirting and getting to know the original girls, Davide chose to couple up with 19-year-old Gemma Owen, leaving Welsh boy Liam Llewellyn single.
JUNE 2022: Ekin-Su enters the Love Island villa
27-year-old Turkish actress Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu entered the villa on Day Three alongside fellow bombshell Afia Tonkmor.
As the only single boy in the villa, both Ekin-Su and Afia enjoyed a date with Liam.
JUNE 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide couple up for the first time
Just two days after Ekin-Su entered the villa, the first recoupling of the series took place with Davide admitting he was torn between Ekin and Gemma.
After Luca Bish chose Gemma, Davide decided to couple up with Ekin-Su.
JUNE 2022: Ekin-Su kisses Jay behind Davide's back
Following the arrival of Scottish hunk Jay Younger, Ekin-Su was chosen for a date, which later led to a secret encounter with Jay on the terrace.
Ekin and Jay made every effort to hide from their fellow Islanders, crawling along the floor to avoid being spotted, before they enjoyed a steamy kiss.
JUNE 2022: Ekin-Su couples up with Jay
Ditching Davide, Ekin-Su chose to couple up with Jay during the second recoupling, whilst Davide coupled up with Gemma on a friendship basis.
JUNE 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide have explosive row
Following her secret kiss with Jay, Davide confronts Ekin about her actions, later leading to the now famous line of: "'You're a liar, an actress, go the f--k out."
JUNE 2022: Davide kisses Danica
Ahead of the third recouping, single boy Davide decided to get to know bombshell Danica Taylor, planting a kiss on her in the process.
JUNE 2022: Davide couples up with Antigoni
Davide left both his fellow Islanders and viewers at home in complete shock during the third recoupling when he chose Antigoni Buxton, despite kissing Danica just hours before.
JUNE 2022: Ekin-Su couples up with Charlie
After deciding she wasn't feeling Jay, Ekin-Su chose to get to know bombshell Charlie Radnedge, with the pair enjoying a date together in the hot tub.
During the third recoupling, Charlie picked Ekin-Su to couple up with.
JUNE 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide kiss during heart rate challenge
As it was clear to see Ekin-Su and Davide still had feelings for each other, Ekin-Su targeted Davide during the raunchy heart rate challenge, leading to viewers urging the pair to get back together.
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide recouple
Despite their explosive row just weeks prior, Ekin-Su and Davide's chemistry was unmatched, with Ekin deciding to couple up with Davide in the hope he would give her a second chance.
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide enjoy their first date
Bosses decided to send Ekin-Su and Davide on their first date outside of the villa, with the pair enjoying an afternoon at a vineyard.
Ekin-Su tells Davide: "I am ready to make it up to you, I am ready to try. It's cool if we take it slow, it's cool if we're friends, it's cool I'm not going to pressurise you at all. I just want to know that you'll give me a chance?"
JULY 2022: Davide kisses Coco and Mollie during Casa Amor
When Casa Amor hit, Ekin-Su went off to the other villa with the girls, whilst Davide stayed in the main villa with the boys.
Despite being coupled up with Ekin, Davide chose to kiss new girl Coco Lodge, before later sharing a kiss with Mollie Salmon in bed.
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide both return from Casa Amor single
Fans were thrilled when Ekin-Su chose to return back to the main villa single, and even more so when Davide was stood waiting for her. Despite kissing both Mollie and Coco whilst Ekin was away, the Italian admitted he had a better connection with the actress.
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide row over Adam
Upon the shock arrival of 2018 Islander Adam Collard, Davide and Ekin-Su endured another row when Davide admitted he has doubts about trusting Ekin.
Getting into a row, Ekin-Su says: "If you have trust issues, come to me. I've come in here alone, I didn't f--k up in Casa Amor, I'm all into you."
Davide said: "You didn't f--k up in Casa Amor, I honestly believe you didn't have enough attention."
Interrupting Davide, Ekin-Su added: "I don't give a f--k about Adam, I'll shout it. I don't give a f--k about Adam!"
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide make up
After talking out their worries like true grown-ups, Davide and Ekin-Su once again chose to couple up during the sixth recoupling, with the pair looking stronger than ever.
JULY 2022: New girl Nathalia sets her sights on Davide
Following the arrival of four late bombshells, including model Nathalia Campos, Ekin-Su had competition for her man.
In true style, the girls settled things with a pancake competition, judged by Davide. Luckily for Ekin, she was the winner!
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide go exclusive
Davide chose to ask Ekin-Su to make their relationship 'exclusive' with the help of a tiramisu.
He told Ekin: "I know we say to each other a lot of time that probably we want to wait until the outside to become officially boyfriend and girlfriend. I prepared something nice, an Italian tiramisu."
The tiramisu included the words 'be mine' in Italian, which Ekin quickly accepted.
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide become parents
Well, kind of! Ekin-Su and Davide took part in the famous baby challenge in the week leading up to the final. The pair decided to call their 'child' Irene.
Following the task, viewers were convinced Ekin-Su and Davide were trying to 'make their own babies' after seeing certain movements under the sheets...
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide enjoy epic final date on Love Island
It's fair to say bosses pulled out all of the stops for Ekin-Su and Davide's epic final date. The pair were surrounded by hundreds of candles in a Colosseum-themed setting, whilst English tenor Alfie Boe serenaded them.
JULY 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide meet each other's parents
Just days before the final, Ekin-Su and Davide were met in the villa by their closest family members! Davide translated his mum's lovely words from Italian to English, with both sets of families approving of their romance.
AUGUST 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide win Love Island
With a record-breaking 63.68% of the final vote, Laura Whitmore crowned Ekin-Su and Davide the 2022 winners of Love Island.
After bosses decided to remove the usual split or steal twist, Ekin-Su and Davide shared the £50,000 prize money.
AUGUST 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide return to the UK
Following their impressive victory, Ekin-Su and Davide travelled back to the UK with their fellow finalists, sharing this loved-up video as they boarded their flight home.
AUGUST 2022: Ekin-Su and Davide discuss plans to move in together
Ekin-Su and Davide appeared on Loose Women on 9th August, with the pair revealing plans to move in with each other.
She told the panel: "We're planning to, probably September, October time."
Ekin-Su also appeared on Lorraine on 15th August confirming they will be moving in together. The Love Island winner said: "Basically we've decided that we are moving in together, confirmed, it's official!
"And we are thinking perhaps end of September we're thinking to possibly move into Essex, where I'm from. Davide's not been to Essex and I feel like it's so nice because it's near London, it's easy to travel to, bit of countryside but then also a bit of that edginess to it as well."
AUGUST 2022: Davide surprises Ekin-Su for her birthday
Ekin-Su celebrated her 28th birthday on Sunday 21st August and Davide pulled out all of the stops! The Italian enlisted the help of an events company to decorate their hotel room, featuring huge light letters spelling out her name, a yellow bean bag, and a huge cake!
SEPTEMBER 2022: Ekin-Su shuts down Davide 'cheating' claims
After footage emerged of Davide getting into a taxi with two girls, Ekin-Su was quick to defend her man, shutting down the 'cheating' rumours.
Speaking to Goss.ie, Ekin-Su said: "I mean those videos, we know it's not true because I was talking to him the whole night. You know the relationship is between me and him and people like to talk.
"The truth behind that is it wasn't just him, it was a big group, and it just happened to be two girls in a taxi with him and his friend and it just looked wrong, that's all it was.
"And you know I trust him, he didn't cheat, and he's my man."
OCTOBER 2022: Davide reveals his relationship with Ekin-Su is going strong
During a chat with The Mirror at the beginning of September, Davide confirmed the pair's relationship is going very well. He said: "We feel like we are actually a proper boyfriend and girlfriend. We feel like a proper couple because in the villa it's not the real world. We were scared that we couldn't work in the real world, but we actually saw that we work and work better. We had fiery times in the villa but we've been really good after. We've had a few small arguments but healthy ones. You need a few small arguments in the relationship in order to feel it's real.
But apart from that we feel better since we left the villa. It's nice when I wind her up and she winds me up and then we love each other."
OCTOBER 2022: ITV reveal details of Ekin-Su & Davide: Homecomings
On Tuesday 4th October, ITV confirmed details of the couple's new show, which will be called Ekin-Su & Davide: Homecomings. The show will see the couple take two trips of a lifetime to visit their hometowns in Italy and Turkey.
OCTOBER 2022: Davide asks Ekin-Su to move in
In mid-October, Davide surprised Ekin-Su whilst the pair were dining out at a restaurant. Davide wrote the words 'Moving In?' in chocolate sauce on a dessert board, much to Ekin-Su's delight.
NOVEMBR 2022: Davide and Ekin-Su take a trip to Dubai
Ahead of the release of their spin-off show, Davide and Ekin-Su took a romantic break to Dubai, where they enjoyed the sun, explored the desert, and took in the wonderful sights.
NOVEMBER 2022: Davide and Ekin-Su attend the TV Choice Awards
After returning from Dubai, Davide and Ekin-Su attended the TV Choice Awards, where they showed just how loved-up they are on the red carpet. Ekin-Su also presented the award for Best Daytime Show at the ceremony.
NOVEMBER 2022: Ekin-Su & Davide: Homecomings airs
After weeks of teases, Ekin-Su & Davide: Homecomings aired on ITV2 on Monday 28th and Tuesday 29th November. The two-part series showed the couple going to both Italy and Turkey to meet each other's families, as well as showcasing their love for each other.
DECEMBER 2022: Davide gifts Ekin-Su a promise ring
Are Ekin-Su and Davide engaged? Well, not quite. As the Love Island winners enjoyed drinks on a rooftop terrace in Rome, Davide surprised Ekin-Su with a large Christmas present that got smaller and smaller until she reached a ring-size box. The box contained a promise ring, which Davide then put on her ring finger. Ekin-Su later showed it off on her Instagram Stories!
APRIL 2023: Ekin-Su confirms she's still with Davide
After rumours emerged that Davide had 'cheated' on Ekin-Su whilst she was away working, fans were convinced the couple had split, especially when the pair seemingly stopped posting pictures together.
However, in April 2023, Ekin-Su replied to a fan's question on her Instagram Story, revealing the pair are very much still together.
JUNE 2023: Davide announces he's split from Ekin-Su
At the end of June, Davide took to his Instagram Story to confirm he'd split from Ekin-Su. He wrote: '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 anyway possible.'
JULY 2023: Ekin-Su breaks silence about split
Two weeks after Davide's statement, Ekin-Su broke her silence, taking to Instagram to thank fans for their support, and informing them she's keen to get stuck into exciting work projects.
AUGUST 2023: Davide and Ekin-Su spend time in Turkey together
Despite their split, Davide and Ekin-Su got fans talking in August, when the pair enjoyed a holiday together in Turkey to celebrate Ekin's birthday. Davide posted this photo to his Instagram Story, with the caption: 'Despite all the storms, I wanted to make this day special for you... Enjoy the moment, make a wish and blow hard. Happy birthday @ekinsuofficial.'
SEPTEMBER 2023: Ekin-Su and Davide attend the NTAs together
Following their reunion, Ekin-Su and Davide attended the National Television Awards together in September 2023, walking the red carpet hand-in-hand. Since then, the pair have attended a number of other events as a couple and often appear on each other's Instagram Stories.
DECEMBER 2023: Ekin-Su and Davide spend Christmas together
Just days before Christmas 2023, Ekin-Su and Davide enjoyed a trip to London's Winter Wonderland. The pair, who looked very loved-up, shared a Reel from their time at the event.
JANUARY 2024: Ekin-Su confirms she's split from Davide
In a huge shock to fans, Ekin-Su released a statement on Tuesday 30th January to announce she'd made the decision to end things with Davide.
She 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 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.
'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'. (sic)
Meanwhile, after Ekin-Su's time on Dancing On Ice was cut shorter than she'd have liked, the actress is currently enjoying a trip in the Maldives with her beau.
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