'Turkish delight' Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu crowned Love Island 2022 winner

Turkish actress Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has been crowned as the joint winner of hit UK reality TV show, Love Island.

The 27-year-old fan favourite won the eighth series of the show on Monday alongside her romantic interest, Italian business owner Davide Sanclimenti. The pair will split the £50,000 prize money.

The love-birds are the first Mediterranean couple to win the show, after their fiery but loving relationship won over the British public, who witnessed the ‘Turkish delight’ and ‘Italian stallion’ overcome each hurdle in their romantic journey.

There's no moment quite like being crowned #LoveIsland 2022 winners 🎉 pic.twitter.com/EhWQjUp5K2

— Love Island (@LoveIsland) August 1, 2022

Fans were ecstatic following their win, with some stating they deserved the prize money as a “fee for their entertainment alone”.

Cülcüloğlu was also labelled the “people’s princess” and “main character” of the 2022 series, which many said she “carried” as “one of the best love island contestants… ever”.

ekin su and davide deserve this 50k as a fee for their entertainment alone #LoveIsland

— lewys (@lookingforlewys) August 1, 2022

Ekin Su gave us drama, heart, passion, redemption, grace, forgiveness, humour, love and she was never ever mean or badmind or spiteful and laughed at herself!! She was sweet to the other girls! She was everything!!! People's princess!!!! pic.twitter.com/crghsJsT50

— Bolu Babalola (pure) 🍯&🌶 (@BeeBabs) August 1, 2022

I will ride and die for Ekin Su. The breakout star and main character of #LoveIsland 2022.

— CEO of Yelling FRSA (@ChantayyJayy) August 1, 2022

Ekin Su. A legend. The moment. She brought back love island into its peak. Carried this season and brought countless legendary scenes. One of thee best love island contestants to ever enter the villa. Ekin Su will come through! And she did. #loveisland pic.twitter.com/GGHKjSPFmZ

— Murad Merali (@MuradMerali) July 31, 2022

Fans of the show also held viewing parties for the finale, and filmed their excitement after Cülcüloğlu and Sanclimenti were crowned winners.

Some, even went on to say they wanted the Turkish beauty to take over Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore’s job.

Absolute scenes at my event. Ekin Su and Davide won. The best winners of Love Island ever. Ekin Su, came through 🔥 #loveisland pic.twitter.com/zRTWjBEZNu

— Murad Merali (@MuradMerali) August 2, 2022

I have to pray Ekin Su takes Laura Whitmore’s job.

— mina (@MinaLioness) July 31, 2022

Ekin Su needs to take Laura Whitmore's job next season #LoveIsland

— Unknown 💤 (@BeardedCaviar) August 1, 2022

Cülcüloğlu entered the villa as a bombshell, as Turkish and other Middle Eastern fans expressed excitement that they felt represented on the reality show.

The show – which revolves around single contestants who enter the villa to find love – has previously been criticised for the lack of representation of ethnic minorities and for its treatment of non-white cast members.