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02nd Jun 2022

Michael Owen says daughter going on Love Island is his “worst nightmare”

Katy Brennan

“Old grumpy men like me will always have an opinion.”

Michael Owen has shared his opinion on his daughter taking part in Love Island this summer.

19-year-old Gemma Owen was announced as one of the contestants earlier this week and, while the former footballer isn’t exactly thrilled about the news, he’s staying supportive.

Speaking to ITV, he said:

“I have no doubts that she will make us all proud. It’s probably a father’s worst nightmare, but whatever she wants to do you’ve got to be supportive.

 

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A post shared by GEMMA (@gemowen_1)

“I’ve heard a lot about it. I think old, grumpy men like me will always have an opinion on it because I don’t watch it and you just hear snippets, but she assures me it’s not as bad as I think.

“It’s quite a big thing and whatever she wants to do, you have to be supportive and I think I’ve given her a decent enough grounding to be respectful.”

He went on to describe his daughter as a “sensible girl”.

 

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A post shared by GEMMA (@gemowen_1)

Gemma herself followed in her dad’s footsteps by carving out a career in the world of sport. She is an international dressage rider, something she describes as “like dancing on horses”, and has competed in “big arenas in big competitions” across Europe.

Speaking about entering the villa, she said: “I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer. I was seeing someone and then that didn’t work out so I thought, “Why not?”

“I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest. If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.”

Love Island premieres on ITV and Virgin Media Two on Monday 6 June.