After one of the most memorable exit interviews in Celebrity Big Brother history, Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu will reportedly not be appearing on the show’s live final on Friday.
The reality star, 29, has plans to explain her absence to fans but won’t reunite with the cast and hosts along with the other eliminated participants, according to reports.
Ekin-Su was the fourth housemate to be eliminated from this season, emerging to droves of criticism from viewers.
Sources have said that the Love Island star’s turbulent time in the house, and the subsequent backlash from fans, took its toll on her.
She’s been taking time off social media in the aftermath.
‘It’s been a bit of a tough couple of weeks for Ekin-Su,’ a source told the Daily Mail. ‘She could have played the sob story card but has remained tight-lipped publicly.’
The source went on to say that the public’s criticism of Ekin-Su has been hard for the TV star to swallow: ‘Understandably she is feeling vulnerable, but is using this time to gather her thoughts, and figure out next steps, which is why her management believes withdrawing her from the final is the most sensible move.
‘She has asked the team for some time to reflect which everybody is on board with.’
Ekin-Su claimed in her exit interview that she was given an unfair edit by the Celebrity Big Brother production team.
When she asserted this claim, host AJ Odudu defended the show’s portrayal of the Love Island winner. Soon after, she was wrongly accused of not showing up for an appearance on the ITV1 show Lorraine, sparking further controversy.
ITV are allegedly disappointed over Ekin-Su’s absence from the final, highlighting her significant contributions to the network’s shows over the past two years and making it clear it was her decision, not the network’s, to withdraw from the season finale.
Many fans have been vocal about Ekin-Su’s notable absence from TV appearances and social media following her eviction, with some worrying for the star’s wellbeing. Some have even posted online accusing other fans of being too harsh.
X user @YourGirlSudanny wrote: ‘I’m actually starting to feel sorry for Ekin Su yano. She’s getting battered from every angle.’
User @prxtsh agreed, posting: ‘Lowkey feel a bit bad for Ekin-Su hearing them boos.’
The winner of Celebrity Big Brother season 23 will be revealed this week, with the remaining housemates including X Factor judge Louis Walsh, This Morning star Fern Britton, reality personality David Potts, Coronation Street actor Colson Smith, and Strictly Come Dancing professional Nikita Kuzmin battling it out for the crown.
Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches was removed in an unexpected turn of events in the second-to-last episode on Thursday.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to ITV and Ekin-Su’s representatives for a statement.
Celebrity Big Brother: Live Final will be shown tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX
