Love Island’s Davide Sanclimenti admits he still has ‘struggles’ with girlfriend Ekin-Su Culculoglu

Love Island’s Davide Sanclimenti has admitted that he and his girlfriend Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu are still “struggling” with their relationship.

The couple, both 28, won the eighth season of the ITV2 reality show last summer, and although they’ve been in love with each other since their coronation, it seems things haven’t always gone smoothly.

The Italian businessman spoke candidly about their relationship in an interview with The sun Online on Saturday, in which he shines a spotlight on the reality of their lives.

He said, “Me and Ekin-Su had our struggles because of our public positions and sometimes we still do.

If there’s anything I would change or do differently [with Ekin-Su in the villa] maybe I should have slowed down a bit.’

Struggle: The Italian businessman said their relationship was sometimes strained when they were put in the spotlight

Davide continued that despite this, the couple are still very much in the throes of romance, mainly because they come from “the same background.”

“The best thing about dating Ekin-Su is that we understand each other — not just because we’re literally the same person,” he continued. “She’s my copy-paste.”

They moved in together after winning Love Island last year, but earlier this year they had to dismiss claims that their relationship was a showman.

In April, Ekin-Su was reportedly left “fuming and upset” after finding messages and photos of two models on Davide’s phone.

A source told The sun at the time: “It all exploded last Sunday after she found messages on Davide’s phone discussing their time together.

“He had been messaging both girls and she guessed they had all met one night.

“Ekin-Su contacted one of the girls to tell them she knew things. She was furious and really upset.’

A representative for Ekin-Su declined to comment on the story. MailOnline had also contacted Davide, who has yet to respond.

Sweet: Despite this, Davide went on to say that ‘the best thing about dating Ekin-Su is that we understand each other’

Support: Ekin-Su recently said she has “no friends anymore” after being pushed into the public eye, but insisted she is “much happier this way”, especially with her boyfriend’s support

Davide’s interview comes after Ekin-Su revealed that she “has no friends anymore” after being thrown out into the public eye.

The former Love Island star, who rose to fame on season eight of the ITV reality show, candidly contradicted Cosmopolitan about her struggles with personal relationships.

She admitted that since finding fame, people no longer want to be her friend because of her “status.”

The star even revealed that close friends, like one she’s known for over 10 years, started selling stories about her.

Despite reflecting that she “has no friends anymore,” Ekin-Su insisted she’s “much happier this way, especially with the support of her boyfriend Davide.”

She told the publication, “I’ve lost every friend I had. I do not have friends. I have a boyfriend and that’s it.

Fame game: Ekin-Su and Davide rose to prominence after appearing on Love Island and winning the ITV2 dating show last summer (featured in the show)

“Unfortunately, with fame, you see people’s true colors. People just want to be your friend because of your status, and it’s a tough industry to trust.

‘No, I don’t really have any friends anymore. People I’ve known for 10 years who were in my life…Selling stories isn’t very nice. I wouldn’t do that to anyone. If they were happy I would support them.

“Unfortunately, when I got out of the villa, I had to cut people out of my life.

‘But I’m happier this way. Sometimes it’s best to keep your circle small and you don’t always need friends. As long as you know who you are, that’s fine.’