Yahoo News Celebrity Big Brother's Ekin-Su withdrawn from live final
Celebrity Big Brother star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu has been withdrawn from tonight's live final (March 22).
The reality TV star became the fourth contestant to be eliminated from this year's series last Friday in a joint eviction alongside fellow housemate Levi Roots.
A representative for the Love Island star confirmed to Digital Spy that Ekin-Su will not be appearing during the final after her management deemed her "unfit" to return.
They state that the decision was made in the wake of the star's exit interview on spin-off show Late & Live, as well as the initial claim that she "pulled out" of an interview on ITV's Lorraine – which the show has since retracted and apologised for.
The Late & Live interview was controversial among some viewers who felt that the treatment she received went too far.
Related: Celebrity Big Brother's Marisha shares Ekin-Su update since show exit
"It’s been a bit of a tough couple of weeks for Ekin-Su," a source said. "She could have played the sob story card but has remained tight-lipped publicly and expressed to those around that she’s aware she must be accountable for a few things that have happened.
"Understandably she is feeling vulnerable, but is using this time to gather her thoughts, and figure out next steps, which is why her management believes withdrawing her from the final is the most sensible move.
"She has asked the team for some time to reflect which everybody is on board with."
Digital Spy has reached out to ITV for comment and is awaiting a response.
Related: Celebrity Big Brother star Ekin-Su's family release statement after "sad episode"
Ekin-Su was last seen on screens during Big Brother's Late & Live show following her eviction from the house.
She was joined in the studio by Strictly Come Dancing's Layton Williams, who asked about her confrontation with fellow housemate Marisha Wallace, after Marisha chose Ekin-Su in the face-to-face nominations.
"You haven't seen everything, they cut stuff out," Ekin-Su said, with Layton responding: "You're not going to blame it on the edit. One thing you're not going to do is blame it on the edit. We see what we see and it's a shame."
Digital Spy understands that Ekin-Su appeared defensive on the show following advice from loved ones, who were concerned with the public's opinion of her.
Earlier this week, Davina McCall addressed some of the negative reaction that Ekin-Su has received, telling virginradio.co.uk: "What you have to appreciate about people that go in there is that Big Brother asked [them] to go in there.
"So in a way, we have a duty of care to look after the people when they come out, no matter how they behaved."
Last week, Ekin-Su's family released a statement via Instagram condemning abuse aimed at the star during her stint on the show.
Celebrity Big Brother airs Sundays through Fridays at 9pm on ITV1 and the ITV Hub, followed by Late & Live on ITV2 immediately following each new episode.
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