Dancing On Ice: Interview Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu Love Island Winner

The celebrity reality show Dancing on Ice returned to ITV1 on Sunday at 6.30pm with 11 new celebrities showing off their ice skating skills. Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield are back as hosts. Ekin-Su, who won the last series of Love Island, tells us why she decided to take to the ice.

Why have you decided to sign up for Dancing On Ice?
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. I think I’d be good and I can see myself winning it.

What are you most looking forward to?
Showing my personality with the costumes and the music. Having an audience and that adrenaline! Being in front of those judges and hopefully impressing them will be great. I’ve asked if I can sing and skate at the same time but I don’t think I will be able to!

What do your family and friends think about you doing the show? Are they going to come down and watch the live shows?
I think my dad will be scared of me hurting myself! My friends will be supportive – they have seen me on Love Island and this is totally different. Davide will definitely be jealous that I’m doing this because he likes to move! It’ll be nice for him to see me skate, I think he might find that attractive – a bit of salsa music playing. I’d love for him to come and watch me rehearse, it’s exciting for him to see me because it’s an achievement. He’s my number one supporter.

Have you seen much of the previous series? Are there any standout moments that you would like to recreate?
I remember watching when Gemma [Collins] fell over and Maura Higgins was amazing. I love musicals so that inspires me, I’d love to do something from a musical and put some acting into my performances too.

Do you have any ice skating experience?
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!

Is this one of the scariest things you’ve ever done?
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.

How is this going to differ from your Love Island experience?
Love Island you have an objective – to find the love of your life. You’re in a bubble. But the thing they have in common is that your mindset has to be focused. With Dancing on Ice you have to practise on getting better but with Love Island you have to practise letting go of everything else and focusing on your emotions and being in the moment.

What are you most scared or nervous about?
The thing I’d be most scared of would be that Davide would be cheering me on while I’m doing a performance, I do the splits and then split my pants in half! And then he would shout ‘You’re a liar. An actress!’.

Is there a celebrity you’d be nervous to compete with or anyone you’d love to see on the show alongside you?
Professional skaters and dancers, they learn quickly so they’d definitely be my competition.

How do you think you will deal with criticism from the judging panel?
They’re not all going to say that I’m great and if they said that I wouldn’t work harder. So, if they say that I need to do better, that would make me work harder. I would rather receive criticism than get a 10 out 10 each week. I want them to criticise me, I’m ready for that.

What would you say are your strengths and weaknesses as you embark upon this challenge?
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.

Do you have any other friends who have taken part in the show previously? Will you be reaching out to them for advice?
I know Wes from Love Island did the show – he did very well! I’d quite like to speak to him really, someone who has gone the whole way.

Are you in it to win it?
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% in. I’m going to believe in myself, I believe in myself so much.

Dancing On Ice airs Sunday nights at 6.30pm on ITV.