Ekin-Su and Wayne? (Picture: Getty)
Wayne Linker has claimed he dated Love Island star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu ahead of her appearing on the popular TV show.
In a scenario the entrepreneur and Ibiza nightclub owner himself called ‘bizarre’, Wayne, 60, revealed he had ‘pulled’ the 28-year-old actress, reality star and influencer in a branch of Nando’s of all places.
The brother of footballer-turned-pundit Gary Lineker shared his dating history in a new podcast interview when he was asked about the ITV2 reality dating show.
‘I’ve not watched it for a few years, but I actually dated the winner of Love Island, Ekin-Su, loads of times,’ Wayne claimed.
‘She stayed with me at Seven Pines. Bizarre, isn’t it?’, referencing the popular resort on holiday island hotspot Ibiza, where Wayne is based.
The father of four confirmed his dating claim was from before her stint on Love Island in summer 2022, which she won with her Italian partner Davide Sanclimenti, also 28.
Club owner Wayne said he went on ‘loads’ of dates with Ekin-Su before she appeared on Love Island (Picture: Ricky Vigil M/GC Images)
The entrepreneur claimed he met her at Nando’s (Picture: Instagram/waynelineker)
Wayne said that he used to have ‘such a laugh’ with her and was ‘shocked’ when he found out she was doing the TV show but ‘knew she’d do really well as she’s absolutely hilarious in real life’.
He added on the Saving Grace podcast: ‘We just laughed and we’ve got so many funny stories. We met in Nando’s. She walked in and I was like, “F**k she’s fit.”’
He said: ‘I actually air dropped her my number and I went “text me”.’
Wayne then claimed Ekin-Su would have known it was him because he was the only other person in there.
‘Then she walked out of Nando’s, walked down the road. Then within – I could still see her – she went, “Hi, what you doing?”.’
Ekin-Su has been happily loved up with Davide since their Love Island win last summer (Picture: Getty)
With Grace commending Wayne on his alleged pulling prowess, he replied: ‘If you see someone you’ve just got to go in deep.’
The Ocean Beach owner has previously appeared on Celebs Go Dating, where he struck up a close friendship with his love interest on the show, Geordie Shore star Chloe Ferry, 27.
He was previously in a four-year relationship with Britain’s Next Top Model star Danielle Sandhu until 2018.
Father to three sons, Duane, Sean, and Freddie, and one daughter, Tia, Wayne works with his eldest son at Ocean Beach while Sean works in his other clubs.
She recently appeared on Dancing On Ice, where she was supported by Davide (Picture: Matt Frost/ITV/Shutterstock)
He has been married and divorced twice.
Meanwhile, Davide recently spoke of his intentions to marry his partner.
He exclusively told Metro.co.uk: ‘I did the show because I wanted to find a genuine person.
‘I wanted to find love and now I feel like I’ve got everything I’ve been asking for. I find myself really good with Ekin.
‘We’ve got really good intentions for the future, we’re probably going to get married so I feel like I’ve got everything I wanted.’
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He recently supported his girlfriend during her stint on Dancing On Ice – even taking to the ice with her – ahead of her elimination.
Following her disappointingly early exit, the pair have now headed off together for a winter sun break in the Maldives.
Metro.co.k has contacted a rep for Ekin-Su for comment.
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