Defiant Ekin-Su Culculoglu battles fever as she heads to last DOI rehearsal

She revealed earlier this week that she could be forced to miss the first live show of Dancing On Ice 2023, after falling ill with a fever. 

But Ekin-Su Culculoglu told how she was determined to compete as she gave fans and update on Saturday, saying she wasn’t giving up’.

The Love Island star, 28, took to her Story as she headed to one of her last rehearsals and seemed like she was tackling her illness with a positive attitude. 

Defiant: Ekin-Su Culculoglu has told how she is determined to compete in Sunday’s first Dancing On Ice show as she gave fans and update on Saturday, saying she wasn’t giving up’ amid her fever

She penned in the caption: ‘En route to training. Getting back on it. Not giving up just cause I’m ill – Bring on tomorrow! @dancingonice’.

Ekin-Su looked glowing in the snap despite her illness as she sported a radiant makeup look and opted for a cosy light brown fleece. 

Also on her Story she shared a group picture of all the contestants ahead of the first show as she praised them all for how far they have come in training. 

Ready: The Love Island star, 28, took to her Story as she headed to one of her last rehearsals and seemed like she was tackling her illness with a positive attitude

It comes after earlier this week Ekin-Su revealed she was poorly with a fever.

The reality star, who is set to make her debut on the rink this Sunday, took to Twitter to reveal she’s been advised to rest by doctors, in the hope that she can still compete this weekend.

Luckily, it appeared that Ekin-Su’s boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti was on hand to take care of his girlfriend, as he posted on Instagram Stories that she was ‘in good hands’.

Sharing her ill health with fans, Ekin-Su tweeted: ‘Very Ill doctors have told me to rest hopefully I can recover very quickly ready for Sunday.’

Proud: Also on her Story she shared a group picture of all the contestants ahead of the first show as she praised them all for how far they have come in training

See also  Meghan Markle trashed by Sky News host Rita Panahi as Duchess 'mocks' meeting with The Queen

Davide then shared a snap of his girlfriend on his Stories as she attempted to recover in bed, writing: ‘Someone’s home with the fever… in good hands tho.’

On Wednesday Ekin-Su had tweeted that she was still struggling with illness, tweeting: ‘Had this flu for a month now! Not what you need for the live show Sunday! Need to rest.’ 

The reality star is due to make her debut on the ice this weekend alongside 10 other couples in the first live show.

Worrying: She revealed earlier this week that she could be forced to miss the first live show of Dancing On Ice 2023, after falling ill with a fever

Other celebs competing in this year’s series include football legend John Fashanu, olympic gymnast Nile Wilson, Coronation Street’s Mollie Gallagher, Drag Queen and TV personality The Vivienne, comedian Darren Harriott, actress and West End star Carley Stenson and The Wanted’s Siva Kaneswaran.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby return as hosts. Meanwhile, ice royalty Jayne Torvill & Christopher Dean resume their roles as judges on the ice panel alongside dancers Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse. 

It came after Ekin-Su revealed she has previous skating experience ahead of competing on Dancing On Ice. 

Cute: Luckily, it appeared that Ekin-Su’s boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti was on hand to take care of his girlfriend, as he posted on Instagram Stories that she was ‘in good hands’ 

The Love Island star also claimed one of her strengths is being ‘very competitive’. 

Ekin-Su admitted she used to ice skate, saying: ‘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!’

The reality star, who is paired with Brendyn Hatfield, said: ‘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! 

See also  I'm A Celebrity 2022 LIVE: Olivia Attwood forced to leave the show after 24 hours

Not long now! It came after Ekin-Su revealed she has previous skating experience ahead of competing on Dancing On Ice (pictured with partner with Brendyn Hatfield)

‘My strengths would be that I’m competitive, passionate and I learn movement quickly. My weaknesses would be overthinking and getting impatient. If I can’t do something, I’ll try and try until I can do it.’

When asked if this is one of the scariest things she’s ever done, Ekin-Su replied: ‘I’ve never been scared in my life, I’ve never been nervous in my life, I’ve always been confident. I think the only time I’d be nervous would be at the final. I know I’m going to fall and hurt myself because in life you fall and hurt yourself. I’m ready.

When asked if she’s in it to win it, Ekin-Su said: ‘Yes I am, otherwise I’m not doing it. I don’t mind going home early but my mind doesn’t work like that. If I’m doing it, I’m putting 100 per cent in. I’m going to believe in myself, I believe in myself so much.’ 

Dancing On Ice returns on Sunday, January 15 at 6:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

PATSY PALMER 

AGE: 50

PROFESSION: Actress and DJ

WHAT DID THEY SAY?:  ‘I’ve turned it down before because I was terrified, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confront zone. ‘

EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU

AGE: 28

PROFESSION: Love Island star 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?:  ‘I’ve got some amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get myself on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’

 MOLLIE GALLAGHER 

AGE: 24

PROFESSION: Actress

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not got the best coordination so when people find out they will laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying “I can’t do this, I can’t do that.”

See also  Leigh-Anne Pinnock exhibits her midriff in a yellow crop top in mirror selfie from Miami getaway

JOEY ESSEX

AGE: 32 

PROFESSION: Ex TOWIE star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than what I usually do.’

 CARLEY STENSON

AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Actress and West End star

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited that I get to learn how to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.’

SIVA KANESWARAN

AGE: 33

PROFESSION: Singer

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I want to learn how to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for everyone to see.’

 JOHN FASHANU 

AGE: 60

PROFESSION: Former footballer and pundit 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?:  ‘I am definitely in it to win it.And this may be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for but I couldn’t be more ready for the challenge!’

NILE WILSON

AGE: 26

PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve not done much ice-skating but I am so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and to feel like an athlete again.’

 JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE 

AGE: 29

PROFESSION: Drag queen

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘To be the first drag artist to take part in one of the big UK reality competition shows is an honour and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’

  DARREN HARRIOT 

PROFESSION: Comedian 

AGE: 34 

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve got giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall on the first episode!’ 

 MICHELLE HEATON

AGE: 43

PROFESSION: Singer

WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’ve always wanted to do it but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really truly grateful that I’ve got it this year when I’m a lot stronger.’