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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

Love Island’s Gemma Owen discusses Luca Bish split for the first time: ‘It’s been challenging’

The dressage rider said she’s been getting over the breakup by keeping busy and relying on friends

(Picture: PA)

Love Island star Gemma Owen has said it’s been “challenging” dealing with “people’s opinions” following her split from Luca Bish.

The 19-year-old and the fishmonger, 23, called time on their romance in November less than four months after leaving the Love Island villa.

The dressage rider admitted that she’s been getting over their breakup by keeping busy and has relied on her pals from the ITV2 villa to lift her up while going through her heartbreak.

She shared: “These last few weeks, as going through any breakup, it’s not nice. It’s not a nice time.’

“Having to deal with people’s opinions, and people thinking that they know what’s going on when they don’t, that’s been challenging. But overall, I’m doing OK. I’m getting through it and keeping busy.”

Owen told Goss.ie: “The girls have been lovely. Every single one of them has sent me a message, being there, telling me if I never need a call they’ll be there. So that’s really lovely and makes it a bit easier.”

The couple announced their split in November (PA Wire)

The pair met during the eighth series of the hit ITV2 dating show, which aired earlier this year, and confirmed their split in separate posts on their Instagram stories.

Owen, daughter of former England football player Michael Owen, 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 us both right now.

“Many of you have been on this journey with us from the very beginning, and I want to thank you for your continued support as we start new chapters. Love always, Gem x”.

The star is former footballer Michael Owen’s eldest daughter (Twitter/@themichaelowen)

While Bish wrote: “I would have liked some time to process this privately but as you all already now know sadly 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. I can’t thank everyone enough for all 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.”

During their stint on Love Island, Owen insisted she wanted the approval of her family before taking the next step and making their relationship official.

After leaving the villa in Majorca, Bish asked Owen to be his girlfriend during a lavish proposal in August.

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