Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu might want to brace herself for 'unfair advantage' accusations on her Dancing on Ice debut, after she admitted her previous skating experience.
Months after she and boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti took home a £50,000 prize by winning Love Island, former actress and singer Ekin-Su is aiming to score another TV victory on the rink, as Dancing on Ice returns for a new series this weekend.
Last week, two bookies named Ekin-Su as their favourite to win the new series of the ITV show, with gymnast Nile Wilson also put firmly in the frame for triumph on the ice. Ekin-Su is happy to admit that she's in competitive mood ahead of her first performance, even boasting, at this early stage, that she thinks she can win.
READ MORE: Michelle Heaton left in tears by Dancing on Ice phone call
However, she might well find herself at the centre of some criticism from outspoken Dancing on Ice fans, over an admission about her skating past.
In an interview with ITV, Ekin-Su said: "I’m really competitive and I used to ice-skate when I was a little girl - I did a show when I was six or seven and then I started doing ballet. I’ve always had a performance side in my blood and I do think Dancing on Ice will be hard but it’s an opportunity to show a different audience a side to me."
Confident of her chances on the rink, Ekin-Su added: "I think I’d be good and I can see myself winning it."
Talking more about her previous skating experience, Ekin-Su explained: "I skated when I was a kid but it’s been ages since I skated, you forget don’t you? During the pandemic I forgot how to walk because we were stuck inside for two years!
"I’m very competitive so if I have to do two hours of rehearsing then I’ll be there for four - I’m going to aim for the sky!"
*Brenda Blethyn confirms Vera co-star will leave show in new series
*Ruth Langsford breaks news of Eamonn's nasty fall and family tragedy
*Lulu at centre of Masked Singer voting row after early exit
*Giovanni Pernice recruits Strictly co-star for his own tour
