Davide Sanclimenti has dismissed claims that he proposed to his girlfriend Ekin-Su Culculoglu, after fan speculation grew during their recent Maldives getaway.
The former Love Island winner, 28, admitted it’s still early days since the pair have only known each other for six months – but did reveal he wouldn’t be opposed to getting down on one knee after the two year mark.
In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, he also defended Ekin-Su’s choice to wear a racy body stocking while competing on Dancing On Ice, which sparked 112 Ofcom complaints, since she was ‘more naked’ on the ITV2 dating show.
Fresh from a romantic holiday with his partner, also 28, Davide gushed about how the pair had ‘such a nice time’ and felt they could ‘fully relax’ amid their jam-packed schedule.
The boohooMAN ambassador said: ‘I feel like it’s been the first two weeks where we could relax ourselves. No work, no commitments. Just time for me and Ekin, time for good food and sun.
‘Let’s be realistic… we’ve known each other six months!’ Davide Sanclimenti has dismissed claims that he proposed to his girlfriend Ekin-Su Culculoglu amid fan speculation
‘Because after the show, there’s always been someone from my side or from Ekin’s side and we could never have time for ourselves, you know, quality time.’
During the idyllic trip, the couple sparked engagement rumours as they posed for very loved-up snaps in front of a stunning orange sunset.
Fans were quick to take to the comments section to admit they thought the pair were announcing some big news with the very romantic post.
But Davide has thrown cold water over any guesswork, reminding fans he only met Ekin-Su last summer and that they’re still learning new things about each other.
He said: ‘Even if we are so close, the reality is that we know each other since only six months so it would be nice to see at least a two year relationship before you commit for life.
‘This is what I always will delight with fans to understand, that even if everything is perfect, it seems a dream, you need to be realistic.
‘And before you get engaged for life, I think it would be wise to wait two years at least, you know, so you can discover more about the other person.
‘We have always been true and genuine with ourselves, so when we came out [of Love Island] it could either go very bad or could either go very well as it’s doing.
Loved-up: The former Love Island winner, 28, admitted it’s still early days – but did reveal he wouldn’t be opposed to getting down on one knee after the two year mark
‘We actually realised that we are the same person. You start liking each other more and more. We found sometimes, I tell her, “You are like me if I will be a woman,” and she tell me the same. I feel like we found in each other a soul mate.’
‘No, it’s just mad that we honestly, we are the same person. There’s no one thing different about what we like, about what we want to do, our opinion on things, how even on everyday life, how we like to enjoy our activities.
‘It’s like discovering myself on the other gender, you know?’
Earlier this month, a tearful Ekin-Su broke down as she was voted off Dancing On Ice after becoming the third star to be eliminated from the competition.
Davide was full of praise for his girlfriend while revealing the advice he gave her following her departure.
The former hospitality service director said: ‘I saw her from where she started, I’ve been watching sometimes, some videos of her first day on the ice, and then I watched her when she arrived.
‘So I always tell her, “You should be proud of what you did, for where you started when you arrived. This show is not a competition because Dancing On Ice is not going to be your career so it’s just a challenge with yourself. Enjoy the show.”
Protective: He also defended Ekin-Su’s choice to wear a racy body stocking on Dancing On Ice, which sparked 112 Ofcom complaints (pictured last month with Brendyn Hatfield)
‘I feel like she should be proud of herself. Everyone is proud of her, she did well in my opinion. So I’m happy for her for all she did.’
‘I feel like now I see her even more relaxed, you know, it’s been too much going on for her ever since we came out [of Love Island]. So now after the holiday as well, I see her more relaxed and this is why I’m happy for her.’
But during her time on the show, Ekin-Su left some viewers hot under the collar when she recreated her famous crawling scene from the villa.
Even host Holly Willoughby dubbed the routine the show’s ‘sexiest dance ever’.
But it didn’t go down so well with everyone, as the show received 112 Ofcom complaints and the Turkish beauty found herself with the lowest number of public votes.
When asked about the backlash, Davide joked, ‘If I am the boyfriend then for me the outfit is fine. It’s completely covered. Why people should speak, you know? She was more naked on Love Island in a bikini!’
‘People are more naked there than on Dancing On Ice so I feel like it shouldn’t have been an important aspect.’
Elsewhere, Davide is excited to launch his second ‘going-out’ edit with boohooMAN following a successful first collection last year.
The 10 piece line features a variety of timeless smart silhouettes and subtle, soft colourways. Hues of earthy tones are combined with relaxed fits, matching sets, and lightweight fabrics to create a simplistic range that suits all.
Home away from home, the shoot took place in the heart of Manchester with a touch of inspiration from his Italian roots by embracing a minimalist style and incorporating architecture like props.
Davide said of the continued partnership: ‘I feel now even more close to the brand because I feel like after the first collection, already successful, now we created something that respects more my style, my way to dress, my personality…
‘Especially what I wear, you know, even in my everyday life, I buy, find a good outfit even, you know, if you want to have a night out if you want to be a bit more elegant.
‘So I feel like we created something that is more Davide style and I’m even more excited now the second time, more than the first time.’
With price points ranging from £16 – £60 this collection will launch exclusively across boohooMAN.com on Monday February 20.
Coming soon: Elsewhere, Davide is excited to launch his second ‘going-out’ edit with boohooMAN following a successful first collection last year