gemma owen© Photo: ITV

Meet Love Island star Gemma Owen's family – including her famous father

Are you excited for the new series?

Senior Features Writer
May 31, 2022

Love Island is back! The new series starts on Monday 6 June and we can't wait to see the gorgeous islanders couple up and mug each other off. After revealing the full line-up earlier this week, one contestant caught the public's eye thanks to her very famous family.

MORE: Love Island bosses cancel fan favourite part of show

Gemma Owen is the daughter of former football star Michael Owen. Want to know more about Gemma and her family before the show starts? Here's what we know…

WATCH: HELLO!'s Exclusive tour of the brand new Love Island villa

Who is Love Island star Gemma Owen?

Gemma is about to make her debut on reality TV thanks to entering the Love Island villa. But, the 19-year-old is no stranger to living close to the public eye thanks to her dad's career as a famous footballer.

It's clear she's followed in the footsteps of her sporting dad, too, as Gemma is known as an International Dressage Rider. "Sport has always been a big thing for me and my family," she says.

"My dad was a professional football player. I've competed for Great Britain in dressage since I was 11-years-old. I've travelled all across Europe competing in big arenas in big competitions." Impressive! Gemma also runs her own business, so it's clear she's driven and focused.

MORE: Love Island's brand new villa: sunglasses station, new bedroom layout, and huge outdoors

MORE: Love Island's first-ever deaf contestant rumoured to join 2022 series

© Photo: Instagram

Gemma Owen is heading to the villa

Who are Love Island star Gemma Owen's parents?

Former England striker Michael met Gemma's mum Louise, his childhood sweetheart, at primary school in 1984. On May 1 2003, they welcomed Gemma, their first child. A year later, the couple got engaged and by 2005 they were married.

Michael tends to keep details of his family life out of the public eye, but he did reveal that his children were one of the reasons for joining the last season of The Masked Singer. Writing on Twitter after he was eliminated, the footballer, who dressed as Doughnuts, said: "Finally I can apologise for burning your ears these last few weeks.

"My kids badgered me into doing Masked Singer UK but I have to say it was a great experience and a whole lot of fun." There's not yet been a comment on what Michael thinks of Gemma heading to Majorca.

© Photo: Instagram

Gemma and her footballer dad, Michael

Who are Love Island star Gemma Owen's siblings?

In 2006, a year after Michael and Louise tied the knot, they welcomed their son, James Michael in February. A year after that in October 2007, they went on to welcome their third child, Emily May.

A few years after welcoming their second daughter, Louise gave birth to Jessica, her and Michael's fourth child. The family of six are often pictured together on social media.

© Photo: Instagram

The Owen family

What else is there to know about Love Island star Gemma Owen?

Ahead of entering the villa, Gemma revealed her sporty upbringing and competitive nature could influence her dating game. "I would say I'm very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want.

"But at the same time, I'm not going to mess up something for someone who is in a proper relationship or get in the way of a couple if they have a genuine connection. I wouldn’t do anything to another girl that I wouldn’t be happy with them doing to me."

Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more