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 girlfriend Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu still face ‘struggles’ with their relationship.

The couple, both 28, won the eighth season of the ITV2 reality show last summer, and although they have been loved-up ever since being crowned it appears that it hasn’t always been plain sailing.

The Italian businessman spoke candidly about their relationship in an interview with The Sun Online on Saturday, in which he reflected on the realities of their life in the spotlight.  

He said: ‘Me and Ekin-Su had our struggles due to our public positions and we still have them sometimes.

‘If there’s something that I would change or would have done differently [with Ekin-Su in the villa] maybe I would have taken things a bit more slowly.’

Struggle: The Italian businessman said that being thrust into the spotlight has sometimes put a strain on their relationship

Davide went on to say that despite this the couple are still very much in the throes of romance, particularly because they have the ‘same background.’ 

‘The best thing about dating Ekin-Su is that we understand each other – not just because we are literally the same person,’ He went on. ‘She is my copy-paste.’

They moved in together after winning Love Island last year but earlier this year were forced to dismiss claims their relationship was a showmance.

In April, Ekin-Su was said to be left ‘fuming and upset’ after finding messages and pictures from 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 of the girls and she suspected they had all met up one night.

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

A representative for Ekin-Su declined to comment on the story. MailOnline had also reached out for comment from Davide who is 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 left’ after being thrust into the public eye, but insisted she is ‘much ‘happier this way’, particularly with the support of her boyfriend

Davide’s interview come after Ekin-Su revealed that she has ‘no friends left’ after being thrown into the public eye.

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

She admitted that since finding fame, people don’t ‘want’ to be her friend because of her ‘status’.

The star even revealed that close friends, such as one she has known for over 10 years, went on to sell stories about her.

Despite reflecting that she has ‘no friends left’, Ekin-Su insisted that she is ‘much ‘happier this way, particularly with the support of her boyfriend Davide.

She told the publication: ‘I’ve lost every friend I had. I don’t have any friends. I have one friend and that’s it. 

Fame game: Ekin-Su and Davide rose to prominence after they appeared on Love Island and won the ITV2 dating show last summer (seen on the show)

‘Unfortunately, with the fame, you see people’s true colours. People just want to be your friend because of your status, and it’s a hard industry to trust. 

‘No, I don’t actually have friends left. People I’d known for 10 years who were in my life…Selling stories is not very nice. I wouldn’t do that to someone. If they were happy, I would support them. 

‘Unfortunately, I had that coming out of the villa, I had to delete people out of my life. 

‘But I am happier this way. Sometimes keeping your circle small is the best, and you don’t always need friends. So long as you know who you are, that’s fine.’