Dancing On Ice’s Ekin-Su Culculoglu reveals she skated as a child and is ‘very competitive’
Ekin-Su Culculoglu has revealed that she has previous skating experience before competing in the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice, which begins next Sunday.
The 28-year-old Love Island star, who won the ITV dating series in 2022, also claimed that one of her strengths is being “very competitive”.
Ekin-Su admitted that she used to ice skate, saying, ‘I used to skate when I was a kid, but it’s been years since I skated, you forget, don’t you? During the pandemic I forgot how to walk because we were locked up for two years!’
“I’m going to aim for the sky!”: Ekin-Su Culculoglu has revealed that he has previous experience in skating before competing in the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice, which begins next Sunday.
The reality star, who is paired with Brendyn Hatfield, said: ‘I’m very competitive. so if I have to rehearse for two hours, then I’ll be there for four, I’ll aim for the sky!
‘My strengths would be that I am competitive, passionate and I learn the movement quickly. My weaknesses would be thinking too much and becoming 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 he would be nervous would be in the final. I know that I am going to fall and hurt myself because in life you fall and hurt yourself. I’m ready.
Ekin-Su admitted that she used to ice skate, saying, ‘I used to skate when I was a kid, but it’s been years since I skated, you forget, don’t you? During the pandemic I forgot how to walk because we were locked up for two years!’
When asked if she’s in it to win it, Ekin-Su said, “Yes I am, otherwise I won’t.” I don’t mind going home early, but my mind doesn’t work like that. If I’m doing it, I’m putting in 100%. I’m going to believe in myself, I believe in myself a lot.
Speaking about how the show is different from competing on Love Island, he explained: ‘Love Island, you have one goal: to find the love of your life. You are in a bubble.
“But what they have in common is that your mindset has to be focused. With Dancing on Ice you have to practice to get better, but with Love Island you have to practice letting go of everything else and focusing on your emotions and being in the moment.’
It comes after this year’s celebrities looked glam while posing for promotional photos ahead of the release of Dancing On Ice 2023.
The presenters and judges of the ITV shows also seemed eager to get started after confirming that the show will return in January.
Couple: The 28-year-old Love Island star, who won the 2022 ITV dating series with boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti, also claimed that one of her strengths is being ‘very competitive’
Siva Kaneswaran has been confirmed as the latest star to sign up for the new Dancing On Ice series, and the full star cast has been revealed.
The 33-year-old “Wanted” singer is the 11th celebrity competitor in the ITV figure skating competition which will air in January.
A TV source told The Sun: “He’s a great addition to the show – The Wanted still has a huge, loyal fan base.”
“After all the boys have come through this year with the loss of their bandmate Tom Parker, the fans will be looking forward to seeing him continue to the end in Tom’s memory.”
The reality star, who is paired with Brendyn Hatfield, said: ‘I’m very competitive. so if I have to rehearse for two hours, then I’ll be there for four, I’ll aim for the sky!
First Look: Dancing On Ice 2023 starring Darren Harriott, Mollie Gallagher, Siva Kaneswaran, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, The Vivienne, Patsy Palmer, Joey Essex, Michelle Heaton, John Fashanu, Nile Wilson and Carly Stenson (pictured left to right)
Former Liberty X star Michelle Heaton was announced to be the 10th celebrity to sign up for DOI’s upcoming series.
The 43-year-old singer confirmed the exciting news on Lorraine on Monday, as she told the presenter that she ‘never’ could have competed in previous years due to the damage alcoholism caused to her body.
She said: ‘I’m so excited, I can’t believe it. The kids and I are big fans and we watch all the series. I never would have been able to compete because of the shape of my body and I am so thankful that I got this this year to be able to do it properly.
‘I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m not a skater. I’ve been on the ice a couple of times to audition. I pick up my skates tomorrow.
After confirming that he would appear on the show, Darren Harriott joked that his “giant feet” could be problematic.
Glam: The ITV shows judges seemed eager to get going after confirming the show will return in January (Oti Mabuse, Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo pictured left to right)
The 34-year-old comedian joined Trisha Goddard on Talk TV to confirm she was the ninth celeb in the lineup, where she said: ‘I have giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance!
‘My family has already placed bets, they are betting that I will fall in the first episode!’
It was previously announced that actress and DJ Patsy Palmer, soccer legend John Fashanu and Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu would also appear in the new series.
TOWIE star Joey Essex was introduced as the eighth star to sign on for the hit show, following RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s The Vivienne and Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher and Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson.
Eleven celebrities will embark on the ultimate challenge as they hit the ice each week, skating live in a bid to impress both the panel and home viewers.
Dancing on Ice returns this January on ITV1 and ITVX
DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
PATSY PALMER
YEARS: fifty
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 confrontation zone. ‘
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
YEARS: 28
PROFESSION: love island star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I have incredible news to tell you. I’m so excited, I can’t wait to get on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.
mollie gallagher
YEARS: 24
PROFESSION: Actress
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I don’t have the best coordination, so when people find out they’ll laugh, but I don’t want to spend my life saying ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do that’.”
JOEY ESSEX
YEARS: 32
PROFESSION: Former TOWIE star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something in my life with structure and it’s more serious than I usually do.’
carley stenson
YEARS: 36
PROFESSION: Actress and West End star
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m so excited to be able to learn to dance…on ice! I’m terrified but I 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 to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for all to see.”
John Fashanu
YEARS: 60
PROFESSION: Former footballer and expert
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I’m 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 up for the challenge!’
NILE WILSON
YEARS: 26
PROFESSION: olympic gymnast
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I haven’t ice skated a lot, but I’m very excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into that routine and feel like an athlete again.’
JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA LA VIVIENNE
YEARS: 29
PROFESSION: drag queen
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “To be the first drag performer to take part in one of the UK’s biggest reality competitions is an honor and a big step forward for queer representation on TV.’
DARREN HARRIOT
PROFESSION: Funny
YEARS: 3. 4
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: ‘I have giant feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already placed bets, they are betting that I will fall in the first episode!
MICHELLE HEATON
AGE: 43
PROFESSION: Singer
WHAT DID THEY SAY?: “I’ve always wanted to do it, but I know I never would have been able to complete anything because of the shape I was in 18 months ago, so I’m really thankful that I got it done this year when I’m here.” much stronger.