Ekin-Su Culculoglu breaks silence after withdrawing from CBB final

Ekin-Su Culculoglu has broken her silence following her withdrawal from the Celebrity Big Brother final, saying she believes it’s ‘the right decision’ after suffering a post-eviction backlash.

MailOnline revealed on Thursday the Love Island star, 29, would not be attending the showpiece after her management felt the influencer was too ‘vulnerable’ to return in light of her turbulent time on the ITV series and subsequent drama-filled spin-off show appearance.

Ekin-Su was embroiled in a bullying row after she was booed by the studio audience, goaded by guest star Layton Williams and mocked by hosts AJ Adudu and Will Best, the latter branding her ‘Ekin Boo Hoo Hoo’, during her stint on ITV2’s Late & Live shortly after her eviction last Friday.

The model sparked the onslaught by claiming she was ‘edited badly’, after being informed by loved ones that she was at risk of being ‘cancelled’ and fans had ‘turned against her’ due to the way she had been portrayed. 

The reaction of the show’s hosts and guests triggered hundreds of Ofcom complaints and ex-CBB host Davina McCall reminding ITV of their duty of care.

But now Ekin-Su has taken control of the situation with an empowering message addressing her absence from the final and looking ahead to her next chapter.

The model has confided in her inner circle that it’s clear she has some work to do on herself, and everyone is beyond happy that the strong woman they know and love, is setting boundaries and working on herself.

Friends think her decision to be honest and open with fans, is refreshing, and have applauded her unapologetic decision to do what’s best for her in this moment – regardless of outside pressures about attending the final.

Ekin-Su said: ‘I know it’s unlike me to hide away, but I’ve been taking some time to reflect.

‘Sometimes in our lowest moments, we learn the most important lessons about ourselves.

‘I hope you don’t think I am selfish for setting boundaries and putting my own needs first lst night.

‘I’m fully aware that not everybody will understand my absence, or think it was the right decision to make, BUT it was the right decision for me.

‘I chose to remove myself from a potentially uncomfortable situation that I preferred to avoid.

‘I’m proud of myself for recognising what I need during this time, despite the hate that might come my way.

‘Accountability is key and when I’m ready, I will give some context around these past few weeks. Thank you to everybody who has sent kindness my way, I see you, and I appreciate you. The new chapter starts now.’

She added: ‘I hope everybody enjoyed watching the CBB final. A huge congratulations to David for the win.’

Following her stint on Late & Live, Ekin-Su was also falsely accused of cancelling her guest slot on ITV1 show Lorraine on Monday, despite never being confirmed to appear, which forced ITV and host Lorraine Kelly into issuing an apology on Tuesday.

And her time in the house was also tinged with accusations she was being harshly treated, which former housemate Levi Roots alluded to in his exit chat when he claimed Ekin-Su had been victim of ‘micro-bullying’.

A source close to Ekin-Su told MailOnline on Thursday her decision to star in Celebrity Big Brother had backfired and she regrets signing up, especially so soon after her break-up from Love Island co-star Davide Sanclimenti in January after two years.

The source said: ‘Ekin-Su, in hindsight, feels the decision to enter the house after a very public separation, was perhaps not the right decision, as she carried a lot of raw emotion and unresolved feelings into the house.

‘However, she understands she must be accountable for a few things that have happened.’

Ibiza Weekender star David was hot favourite going into the final and proved the bookies right, pipping Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin who finished runner-up.

Former X Factor judge Louis, TV host Fern Britton and Coronation Street star Colson Smith also made it to the final day.