Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop & Lottie Gibbons

Reason Michael Owen didn't reunite with Gemma on Love Island

Michael Owen missed Love Island's 'meet the parents' episode - despite rumours he would appear in the villa.

Last night, the contestants briefly reunited with some of their friends and family. The former Liverpool player did not come to see his daughter Gemma, but his wife Louise did reveal his thoughts about her time on the show.

After Gemma asked what her father felt about how she had handled herself, Louise told her: "Honestly, he is really proud of you, really proud."

READ MORE: Liverpool pub hosting Love Island finale party with appearance from ex-Islander

Her mother also admitted she had voted for Luca to be paired up with her on the first day. However, her friend Sarah, who also came to visit, admitted there was a photo circulating on social media where Luca had a striking similarity to Michael Owen.

When the families met, Luca's mother Maria said she loves Gemma's "values and morals" and the pair had the same banter. While fishmonger Luca's father Michael, who arrived wearing his own fish style flip flops, told his son that Gemma "puts you straight".

But many viewers were confused as to why Michael didn't reunite with Gemma. Fans had hoped he would head into the Love Island villa after his employer BT Sport, for whom he is a pundit, gave him the all clear to jet off to the reality show due to a lack of football fixtures that weekend.

However, earlier this month, Michael revealed he would not be jetting off to Majorca.

According to the Mirror, Michael told Sky Sports' At The Races: "My wife will do that duty. I'll represent the horses and she'll represent the daughter."

He added: "I don't know what I'll get from Box To Box [his horse]. But I know what I'm going to get from my daughter. I've fathered her for 19 years so I'm pretty sure what I'm going to get from her."

Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here

Love Island couples make declarations as emotions run high ahead of 2022 final

Who do you think deserves to win Love Island 2022?

ITV Love Island fans issue Gemma Owen demand over cost of necklace

Love Island fans confused by Paige Thorne's first comment to parents before exit

Love Island's Davide and Ekin-Su are fan favourites to win tonight's final

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.