Michael Owen admits Gemma can be 'horrible and hard to live with' during competitions
Gemma has a 'game face'
It took Love Island fans a while to warm to 2022 Islander Gemma Owen, but now the show is nearly a month in, Michael Owen's 19-year-old daughter is one of the favourites to win the ITV2 competition.
Although Gemma has so far remained silent about her famous father, Michael has spoken about Gemma's 'game face', in turn admitting she can be a nightmare to live with whilst she's preparing for a dressage competition.
Admitting she's just as competitive as he is, the former England footballer said: "Match day or if it's a big competition, going into that ring, she turns into a horror.
"It's like that's it - you get your game face on.
"I didn't want anyone talking to me on match day. She's the same, she's horrible. Stay out of her way when a competition's coming round. That's how much it means."
It comes after Michael publicly defended his daughter after a number of viewers called her 'rude'.
Speaking to Mail Online about the negativity surrounding Gemma's appearance, he said: "Louise has been very upset about it. You can say, 'don’t read it' but that’s very difficult.
"I know she’s been used to that sort of thing with me — I’ve had it all my life; to look at my social media feeds you’d think 70 per cent of the world hates me, but it’s different when it’s your daughter. For Louise it’s more difficult."
Michael went on to reveal the comments about her personality get to him the most, saying: "Personality. She’s the most amazing girl you could meet.
"She’s clever and funny and kind. She’s not two-faced. She’s loyal, a decent person."
Follow all of this year's Love Island cast on Instagram:
Paige Thorne
Age: 24
From: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Instagram: paigethornex
Dami Hope
Age: 26
From: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Instagram: damihope
Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
From: London
Occupation: Hotel Waitress
Instagram: 1ndiyah
Liam Llewellyn
Age: 22
From: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student (Strength and Conditioning)
Instagram: liamllew_
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
From: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and Dancer
Instagram: tashaghouri
Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
From: Rome, Italy (Lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business Manager
Instagram: davidesancli
Gemma Owen
Age: 19
From: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Instagram: gemowendressage_ and gemowen_1
Ikenna Ekwonna
Age: 23
From: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Instagram: ikenna._
Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
From: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Instagram: andrewlepage
Amber Beckford
Age: 24
From: London
Occupation: Nanny
Instagram: amberbeckford
Luca Bish
Age: 23
From: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Instagram: lucabish
Afia Tonkmor
Age: 25
From: London
Occupation: Lounge Host at a Private Members Club
Instagram: afiatonkmor
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu
Age: 27
From: Essex
Occupation: Actress
Instagram: ekinsuofficial
Jacques O’Neill
Age: 23
From: Cumbria
Occupation: Professional Rugby League Player
Instagram: jacques9oneill_
Jay Younger
Age: 28
From: Edinburgh
Occupation: Investment Analyst
Instagram: jayyounger_
Remi Lambert
Age: 22
From: Manchester
Occupation: Model
Instagram: remilambo
Danica Taylor
Age: 21
From: Leicester
Occupation: Dancer
Instagram: _danicataylor
Antigoni Buxton
Age: 26
From: Cyprus/London
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
Instagram: antigoni
Charlie Radnedge
Age: 28
From: London
Occupation: Real Estate Development
Instagram: charlieradnedge
Jazmine Nichol
Age: 21
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Nightclub Manager
Instagram: jazminejaynenichol
Chyna Mills
Age: 23
From: Leeds
Occupation: Youth Support Worker
Instagram: chymills_
Summer Botwe
Age: 23
From: Hertfordshire
Occupation: Events Decor Business Co-owner
Instagram: summerbotwe
Coco Lodge
Age: 27
From: Surrey
Occupation: Graphic designer/ring girl/shot girl
Instagram: coco_lodge
Cheyanne Kerr
Age: 23
From: Barnsley
Occupation: Cabin Crew
Instagram: cheyannekerr_
Mollie Salmon
Age: 23
From: Southampton
Occupation: Make-up artist
Instagram: mollie_salmon
Josh Samuel Le Grove
Age: 22
From: Essex
Occupation: Model
Instagram: josh_legrove
Samuel Agbiji
Age: 22
From: Manchester
Occupation: Model
Instagram: samuelagbiji
Billy Brown
Age: 23
From: Surrey
Occupation: Roofing Company Director
Instagram: billybrown11
Jack Keating
Age: 23
From: Dublin
Occupation: Social Media Marketing
Instagram: jackkeating11
George Tasker
Age: 23
From: Cotswolds
Occupation: Labourer
Instagram: georgetasker__
Deji Adeniyi
Age: 25
From: Bedford
Occupation: Accounts Manager
Instagram: deji.adeniyi
Adam Collard
Age: 26
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Personal Trainer/Former Islander
Instagram: adamcollard
Lacey Edwards
Age: 25
From: Swindon
Occupation: Professional Dancer
Instagram: layedwards
Jamie Allen
Age: 27
From: Preston
Occupation: Professional Footballer
Instagram: jamie_allen12
Nathalia Campos
Age: 23
From: Brazil
Occupation: Operations Manager/Content Creator
Instagram: nathaliaxcampos
Reece Ford
Age: 23
From: Coventry
Occupation: Model
Instagram: _reeceford
As Gemma continues to get to know Luca Bish, despite officially being coupled up with Italian Davide Sanclimenti, thanks to bombshell Danica Taylor, reports are rife her friend Billy Brown could be about to enter the villa.
Gemma's ex-boyfriend Jacques O'Neill has already joined Gem in the villa, but so far things have been very civil between the pair, with both parties encouraging each other in their new romances.
On Wednesday night's show, the boys got to chat with new girl Antigoni Buxton, whilst the latest bombshell Charlie Radnedge gave the girls a shock in the garden.
Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2.
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Gemma Owen's friend Billy set to enter Love Island villa
Love Island's Jacques O’Neill released by Castleford Tigers for show