Celebrity Big Brother comes to an end tonight with the highly-anticipated finale, but it’s been reported controversial contestant Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has pulled out of the final episode reunion.
The 29-year-old Love Island star sparked a huge backlash after she rowed with housemate Marisha Wallace for nominating her to be evicted, as well as being involved in some other dramas in the house.
Since her exit, the reality star has seen a strong response from viewers, and her appearance on Late and Live saw the spin-off show come under fire when hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best criticised Cülcüloğlu along with other guests on the programme.
She has now supposedly asked her management team for “time to reflect” and doesn’t wish to appear on the Friday’s final, where all the housemates typically reunite to celebrate the series.
It comes days after she failed to appear on ITV’s Lorraine for a scheduled interview.
While she hasn’t addressed her absence, her silence has sparked some concern with viewers.
Fans and show hosts were critical of the Love Island star
ITV
A source stated: “It’s been a bit of a tough couple of weeks for Ekin-Su.
“She could have played the sob story card but has remained tight-lipped publicly and expressed to those around that she’s aware she must be accountable for a few things that have happened.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, they continued: "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.”
During her Late and Live appearance immediately following her eviction, Cülcüloğlu hit out at the “edits” of the show when called out for her behaviour.
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu was embroiled in a lot of drama on the show
ITV
This sparked Odudu to point out she’d just left the Big Brother house and hasn’t watched any of the footage yet.
It also spurred Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams to argue: “We’re not going to blame the editing,” as he criticise her for upsetting Wallace on the day she’d found out she had won an Olivier Award.
He addressed how Cülcüloğlu had opted to vote Louis Walsh off, whom she’d been close to in the house, but pointed out their different reactions to the nomination.
Walsh shrugged off the vote while Cülcüloğlu deemed it “unfair” because Wallace had been close with her.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Giovanni Pernice’s former Strictly partners suffer ‘kick in the teeth’ by BBC as they ‘team up’ with Amanda Abbington over complaints
- Miriam Margolyes, 82, sparks uproar as she quizzes TV host on his skin colour in Israel-Palestine debate
- BBC The Apprentice star claims show has ‘had its day’ as he issues scathing verdict on Alan Sugar series
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has reportedly pulled out of the final
ITV
Despite Wallace repeatedly apologising, Cülcüloğlu srtormed off and told Wallace to "enjoy the crown" when she wins the series.
Prior to Cülcüloğlu’s eviction from the house, her family issued a plea for kindness over the social media backlash regarding her row with Wallace.
The winner of the series will be crowned tonight, with the finalists consisting of Louis Walsh, Fern Britton, David Potts, Colson Smith and Nikita Kuzmin.
GB News has approached ITV for a comment.