Defiant Ekin-Su Culculoglu fights the fever as she heads for the final DOI rehearsal

She revealed earlier this week that she may be forced to miss the first live show of Dancing On Ice 2023 after coming down with a fever.

But Ekin-Su Culculoglu told how determined she was to compete as she gave fans an update on Saturday saying she wasn’t giving up.

The Love Island star, 28, took to her story as she headed to one of her final rehearsals and seemed like she was approaching her illness with a positive attitude.

Defiant: Ekin-Su Culculoglu has shared how determined she is to attend Sunday’s first Dancing On Ice show as she gave fans an update on Saturday, saying she wasn’t giving up amid her fever

She wrote the caption: “On the way to training. Come back to it. Don’t give up just because I’m sick – see you tomorrow! @dancingonice’.

Ekin-Su looked radiant in an instant despite her illness as she sported a radiant makeup look and opted for a cozy tan fleece.

In her story, she also shared a group photo of all the contestants ahead of the first show as she praised them all for how far they’ve come in training.

Ready: The Love Island star, 28, took to her story as she headed to one of her final rehearsals and seemed like she was approaching her illness with a positive attitude

It comes after Ekin-Su revealed earlier this week that she had a fever.

The reality star, who is set to make his rink debut this Sunday, took to Twitter to reveal that doctors have advised her to rest in hopes she can still compete this weekend.

Luckily, Ekin-Su’s boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti appeared to be on hand to take care of his girlfriend, as he posted on Instagram Stories that she was “in good hands”.

Sharing her poor health with fans, Ekin-Su tweeted: “Very ill doctors told me to rest, hopefully I can recover very quickly, ready for Sunday.”

Proud: Also in her story, before the first show, she shared a group picture of all participants as she praised them all for how far they have come in training

Davide then shared a snap of his girlfriend in his stories as she tried to recover in bed, writing: “Someone’s home with the fever… in good hands.”

On Wednesday, Ekin-Su tweeted that she was still battling the disease, tweeting, “Had this flu for a month now! Not what you need for Sunday’s live show! Need to take a breather.’

The reality star is set to make her debut on the ice alongside 10 other couples in the first live show this weekend.

Worrying: She revealed earlier this week that she may be forced to miss the first live show of Dancing On Ice 2023 after coming down with a fever

Other celebs taking part in this year’s series include football legend John Fashanu, Olympic gymnast Nile Wilson, Coronation Street’s Mollie Gallagher, drag queen and TV personality The Vivienne, comedian Darren Harriott, actress and West End star The Wanted stars Carley Stenson and Siva Kaneswaran.

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby return as hosts. Meanwhile, Ice Kings Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean reprise their roles as judges on the Ice Panel alongside dancers Ashley Banjo and Oti Mabuse.

It came after Ekin-Su revealed she already has skating experience before competing on Dancing On Ice.

Cute: Luckily, Ekin-Su’s boyfriend Davide Sanclimenti appeared to be on hand to take care of his girlfriend as he posted on Instagram Stories that she was “in good hands”.

The Love Island star also claimed one of her strengths is “very competitive”.

Admitting that she used to skate, Ekin-Su said, “I used to skate when I was a kid, but it’s been ages since I’ve skated, you forget, right? During the pandemic I forgot how to walk because we were stuck indoors for two years!”

The reality star, who is paired with Brendyn Hatfield, said: “I’m very competitive. So if I have to rehearse for two hours, I’ll be there for four – I’ll aim for the sky!

Not for long! It came after Ekin-Su revealed she already has some skating experience before competing on Dancing On Ice (pictured with partner Brendyn Hatfield).

“My strengths would be that I am competitive, passionate and quick to learn moves. My weaknesses would be thinking too much and getting impatient. If I can’t do something, I’ll try and try until I can.’

When asked if it was one of the scariest things she’s ever done, Ekin-Su replied, “I’ve never been scared in my life, I’ve never been nervous in my life, I’ve always been confident. I think the only time I would be nervous would be the final. I know I’m going to fall and hurt myself because in life you fall and hurt yourself. I’m done.

When asked if she’s in it to win it, Ekin-Su said, “Yes, I am, otherwise I won’t do it. I don’t mind going home early, but my mind doesn’t work that way. When I do it, I give 100 percent. I will believe in myself, I believe in myself so much.”

Dancing On Ice returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 15 January at 18:30.

DANCING ON ICE 2023: MEET THE PARTICIPANTS

PATSY PALMER

AGE: 50

PROFESSION: Actress and DJ

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I used to turn it down because I was scared, but when I turned 50 I made a pact to get out of my confrontational zone. ‘

EKIN SU CULCULOGLU

AGE: 28

PROFESSION: Love Island star

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: ‘I have amazing news to tell you. I’m so excited I can’t wait to get on the ice and skate. Stay tuned and see you on the ice.’

MOLLIE GALLAGHER

AGE: 24

PROFESSION: actress

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I don’t have the best coordination, so people will laugh when they find out, but I don’t want to spend my life saying, ‘I can’t do this, I can’t do that.’

Joey Essex

AGE: 32

PROFESSION: Ex-TOWIE star

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: ‘I’m so excited. I wanted something structured in my life that was more serious than what I usually do.’

CARLEY STENSON

AGE: 36

PROFESSION: Actress and West End star

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I’m so excited to learn how to dance on ice! I’m scared but can’t wait – I just want to make the most of this whole experience.”

SIVA KANESWARAN

AGE: 33

PROFESSION: Singer

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I want to learn to skate and make my family proud of me and put on a show for all to see.”

JOHANNES FASHANU

AGE: 60

PROFESSION: Former footballer and expert

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I’m definitely about to win it. And this might be one of the scariest things I’ve ever signed up for, but I couldn’t be more up for the challenge!”

NILE WILSON

AGE: 26

PROFESSION: Olympic gymnast

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I haven’t skated much yet, but I’m so excited for the opportunity. I’m so excited to get into this routine and feel like an athlete again.

JAMES LEE WILLIAM AKA THE VIVIENNE

AGE: 29

PROFESSION: drag queen

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “To be the first drag artist to compete in one of the UK’s major reality competition shows is an honor and a huge step forward for queer representation on television.”

DARREN HARRIOT

PROFESSION: comedian

AGE: 34

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I have huge feet, I don’t skate and I can’t dance. My family has already made bets – they’re making bets that I’ll fall in the first episode!”

MICHELLE HEATON

AGE: 43

PROFESSION: Singer

WHAT DID YOU SAID?: “I’ve always wanted to do it, but I know I would never have been able to complete anything because of the way I was 18 months ago, so I’m really, really grateful that I did it this year got when I’m much stronger.’