Gemma Owen has asked her fans to 'respect my privacy' as she shared news of a devastating loss. The Love Island star, who appeared on the 2022 series, took to Instagram to tell her followers of her heartache following the death of her beloved horse.
The heartbroken dressage rider posted a video filled with pictures and clips of herself alongside Sirius who she says she lost 'suddenly' on Friday (February 2). "On Friday we lost my horse of a lifetime due to a sudden and severe illness," she started the caption of her post with a broken heart emoji.
Sirius, also known as Siz, was 17. "Words can’t describe how much this horse meant to me and my family, he was truly one in a million. Everyone who met Siz will know how amazing and caring his temperament was. He was taken far too soon, he has left us all heartbroken and in complete shock," Gemma went on to share.
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"You taught me so much siz and I will never be able to thank you enough, you brought so much joy and happiness to our lives and you’ll never be replaced. I love you endlessly," the daughter of former footballer Michael Owen added. She did originally conclude her post by saying: "Please respect my privacy in this painful time," according to The Sun, but this has sicne been edited.
New mum Molly-Mae Hague was among those quick to show their support. "Gemma I’m so sorry, this is beyond heartbreaking. Stay strong beautiful," the creative director of Pretty Little Thing, who signed Gemma after her stint on Love Island, replied.
@harlowlunawhite said: "So sorry Gemma. Thinking of you at this heartbreaking time." @megan_devonport wrote: "Oh my god Gemma, I’m so sorry. Bless your hearts, sending you so much love and so many hugs. He was a seriously special boy." @erinwilliams_1 commented: "Oh my god i’m so sorry gemma! this is horrific. sending so much love."
@rhiannacottingham_dressage posted: "Loosing a horse is unbearable. My thoughts are with you, stay strong." @charliemcdowalldressage shared: "So so sorry, you two were a dream pair. Thinking of you all." @gem_lucax added: "I’m so sorry gemma, this is heartbreaking stay strong."
Gemma recently spent Christmas with her family as it came just weeks after she announced her split with former fishmonger Luca Bish, 23, whom she met on the show. The couple came second to eventual winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti.
The pair were together for three months before splitting up in November. Gemma broke the news on Instagram with her own statement. She wrote: “To all my followers, I wanted to let you know that Luca and I are no longer in a relationship. It wasn't an easy decision but ultimately this is what is best for both of us right now.
"Many of you have been on this journey with us from the very beginning, and I wanted to thank you for your continued support as we start new chapters." Later, Luca, a former fishmonger, shared his own statement and appeared to be unprepared for the news to break when it did.
Taking to his own Instagram stories, the 23-year-old wrote: “Switched my phone back on after taking some time out to clear my head after an emotional afternoon to thousands of messages and news articles about my breakup. I would have liked to have had some time to process this privately but as you all already now know, Gemma and I made the mutual decision earlier today to go our separate ways.
"We have been on such a journey together and have made some amazing memories which I will treasure." He added: "I can’t thank everyone enough for their support for us as a couple during and after Love Island. We will remain good friends and I wish nothing but the best for her."
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