Love Island's Luca says producers 'forbid' him to speak to Gemma
They didn't want him to match with Gem
They were one of the strongest couples in the Love Island 2022 villa and even finished the show in second place behind Ekin-Su CĂĽlcĂĽloÄźlu and Davide Sanclimenti, but if the decision was left to producers, it seems the love story between Gemma Owen and Luca Bish may have never happened!
Luca, who recently made Michael Owen's daughter his official girlfriend, joined former Made in Chelsea stars Jamie Laing and Alex Mytton's 'Private Parts' podcast to speak about his time on the show.
Admitting Love Island producers were pushing for him to speak to Paige Thorne and Tasha Ghouri, Luca said: "From the start, they were like, 'Right, Tasha, Paige - focus on them, Gemma is having a thing with Davide and Liam'.
"And I was like, 'Yeah, but the public put me with Paige', and Tasha pulled me for a chat, and as much as they're both lovely, the one person that I actually want to chat to is Gemma.
"So, on the second night, I said I wanted to pull Gemma, and they were like, 'No, you're not allowed'. They were like, 'Davide has come in, he's picked Gemma, let them see what happens like with Liam and Davide' - obviously a storyline there."
The 23-year-old then added: "And then, I was like, nah, I'm going to try again. So, I pulled her for a chat and they had the 'Voice of God'.
"We sat down and I think she said it in our first chat anyway that actually got shown - she was like, 'well this is overdue'.
"They were like, 'Luca, to Beach Hut 2 please'. They were like, 'No no no you're not allowed yet, we're doing this for you not looking like a player'. I was like, 'I'm not looking like a player, I'm on Love Island - surely you want us to chat and see if we actually like anyone', and they were like, 'Yeah but hold off for it now'.
"And in my head I was thinking, the more I hold off, the more she's going to get to know Davide or Liam. I think it was day four or five - bearing in mind this started on day two - and I was like, 'right, am I allowed?'.
"If you go to the first time we had our chat - 'can I pull you for a chat?' sort-of thing - I was like, 'do you want to go for a chat?' and she was like, 'who, me?', and I was like, 'yeah, we're allowed now!', because we both were under the impression we were not allowed yet, and they actually left it in there."
Luckily for Luca he did pursue his feelings for Gemma and the pair have been smitten since they paired up and left the villa together.
Check out Gemma and Luca's relationship story so far:
June 2022: Gemma Owen enters the Love Island villa
After months of rumours that Michael Owen's daughter Gemma was set to go into the Love Island villa, 19-year-old Gemma was confirmed as a contestant on the eighth season.
For the first time on the show, the first coupling up was decided through public vote, and Gemma was initially paired with 22-year-old Liam Llewellyn. Things soon changed, however, when bombshell Italian Stallion Davide Sanclimenti entered and stole Gemma off Liam.
June 2022: Luca Bish enters the Love Island villa
23-year-old Luca Bish, from Brighton, was another original contestant who entered the villa on Day One.
The public vote resulted in Luca initially being coupled up with 24-year-old Paramedic Paige Thorne.
June 2022: Gemma and Luca couple up for the first time
Despite Davide showing interest in Gemma, it was clear that she and Luca has a connection with one another. Keen to explore what they had with one another, Luca decided to couple up with Gemma during the second recoupling, stealing her from Davide.
June 2022: Gemma's ex-boyfriend Jacques O'Neill enters the villa
Just as Gemma and Luca began to settle into their new coupling, it appeared that some drama was about to hit the villa as Gemma's ex-boyfriend, Jacques O'Neill, made his entrance.
As the exes caught up, Gemma admitted she was shocked to see him, even joking that she wanted to go home. Jacques then added: "I still care for you, obviously. I'm gonna have your back in here," while also admitting he likes Luca. Luca, however, wasn't best pleased with the situation, claiming he was "fed up".
Despite this, the pair remained strong, with Gemma assuring Luca that she no longer had feelings for him, and Jacques assuring him that he wasn't trying to win her back. Jacques quickly made a strong connection with Paige, and even went on to become BFFs with Luca!
June 2022: Gemma accidentally calls Luca Jacques
As the pair go from strength to strength, despite the arrival of Gemma's ex-boyfriend, things got a little awkward between the pair as Gemma accidentally called him Jacques.
Despite a small tiff over the situation, Gemma apologised and they were back on track.
June 2022: Danica choses to couple up with Luca
Although Gemma and Luca patched things up, there was more trouble in paradise as bombshell Danica Taylor entered the villa in Week Two.
As the third recoupling of the season came around, the pair were split up, with Danica choosing to couple up with Luca, and Gemma therefore having to couple up with Davide once again.
Although Luca and Gemma could no longer share a bed together, the fishmonger made it very clear that his head and heart were still with Gemma.
June 2022: Luca and Gemma recouple with each other
After having to spend the week apart, Luca chose to recouple with Gemma in Week Three, during the fourth recoupling.
July 2022: The couple stay loyal during Casa Amor
As fans of the show will know, plenty of drama is involved when it comes to Casa Amor week on Love Island - and it's safe to say that 2022 involved one of the most dramatic Casa Amor recouplings of the series!
Although most couples seemed pretty settled with one another before the girls headed off to the other villa, a large handful of the Islanders had wandering eyes. Although Gemma and Luca kept their eggs firmly in one another's basket, she sparked up a friendship with Billy Brown, who later joined the main villa alongside Tasha.
With that being said, Gemma and Luca both stayed loyal to each other, coupling up once again as they returned to the main Love Island villa.
July 2022: Luca and Gemma go on their first date
In Week Six, Luca and Gemma finally left the villa to go on their first date! Dining right next to the sea and taking in the scenery, Luca jokes: "I feel like I'm going to propose", while Gemma laughed: "Not yet".
The pair discussed their special connection, and their excitement to meet each other's family on the outside world, with Gemma adding she 'hopes to God' her mum likes him, as 'if my mum don't like you, then it's a no'.
July 2022: Luca and Gemma drop the L bomb
In a cosy chat on the terrace, Luca told Gemma he loved her for the first time. As Gemma giggled and called him cute, Luca confessed: "I've never been so sure in saying something, because I've not seen a future with someone like I have with you, and I, uh, I think I'm in love you with you. Nah, I am in love with you."
Gemma quickly responded: "I love you too!"
July 2022: Movie Night causes ructions
As fans of the show will know, the 2022 edition of the infamous Movie Night brought its fair share of drama. Despite Luca and Gemma staying loyal to each other in Casa Amor, Luca wasn't best pleased when he saw clips of Gemma and Billy chatting on.
Despite finding clips of everyone else incredibly funny, Luca's mood quickly changed when footage was shown of Gemma's conversations with Billy, with Luca accusing the pair of 'flirting'. Although the footage showed Billy flirting with Gemma, with her going on to turn down his offer of a hug, Luca was left "fuming", stating he "can't be with someone like that".
Viewers were left shocked at the fishmonger's reaction, with him later explaining to Gemma at the fire pit: "I'm not angry that you flirted. I'm angry that when I pulled you on the situation, you made me out to be an idiot."
Luca's reaction also led to his family releasing an apology on his Instagram page, however thankfully the pair were able to patch things up, with Gemma even declaring her love to Luca the following day in the Snog, Marry, Pie challenge.
July 2022: Gemma pies Billy and marries Luca
As the popular Snog Marry Pie challenge returned, Gemma made her feelings crystal clear as she married Luca, before going on to pie Billy!
After throwing a pie in Billy's face, Gemma said: "I'd like to pie this boy because apparently I didn't make it clear enough with my feelings, so now I hope he gets the message!"
Who said romance is dead?
July 2022: Gemma and Luca hit turbulence
Although things seemed good between the pair, Gemma and Luca hit a rocky patch following the Mile-High Challenge, resulting in Luca storming off and taking his mic off.
Luca wasn't happy when Gemma licked fellow Islander Adam Collard during the challenge, going on to push her off him and become annoyed.
Following the girls noticing Luca's icy behaviour, Gemma pulled him for a chat, saying: "You can sit here and say that you're not in a mood... You're in a mood." When Luca denied it, she continued: "Luca, don't play thick. You were pushing me off, had a face like a slapped arse, are you 12?"
The pair reconvened later in the evening, however didn't seem to reach an agreement on the matter. Gemma assured Luca, however, that she did want to be with him, and they appeared to let the disagreement go.
July 2022: Gemma and Luca become parents
The return of the Baby Challenge saw Gemma and Luca become parents for the first time! Despite many of the Islanders opting for sweet monikers for their babies' names, Gemma and Luca had fans in hysterics as they decided to name their baby girl Rog.
As it turns out, the cute name was Gemma's idea, saying: "Let's call her Rog. My sister's nickname is Rog. It looks many, the baby, so it suits her," after Luca suggested naming her after a family member.
Although we love the name, Luca said what we were all thinking as he asked Gem: "You wouldn't call our actual baby Rog though would you?"
July 2022: Gemma and Luca go on their epic final date
As the final grows closer, the remaining couples in the villa headed out on their epic final dates.
Gemma and Luca were smiling from ear to ear as they arrived to a private courtyard-style set up, while being serenaded by a gorgeous six-piece ensemble before dining on a platform in the middle of the pool. And, of course, there were plenty of roses!
Discussing their future, Luca admitted he doesn't think there would be any massive 'challenges' on the outside. They even discussed labels, with Gemma admitting they are like 'the same person'.
July 2022: Luca and Gemma meet the parents
It was the moment we had all been waiting for - Meet The Parents! Despite Gemma's famous dad Michael Owen not entering the villa, the 19-year-old was reunited with her mum Louise and her friend Sarah, while Luca's parents Michael and Maria also came in.
Before introducing everyone, Gemma had a catch-up with her mum. Speaking about her dad Michael, she said: "Honestly, he is really proud of you, really proud."
Despite previously airing her concerns about the boys' 'bullying' behaviour on Instagram, Gemma's mum appeared to approve of her daughter's new beau.
Luca's parents also approved of Gemma, with his mum saying: "I love the values and morals she has, you know, close to her family, really respectful," with his dad adding: "She puts you straight doesn't she!"
August 2022: Luca and Gemma give their final vows
Attending the Love Island 2022 Summer Ball, the pair gave their final vows to one another. In the emotional final episode, their pair looked glamorous as they prepared for the final.
Giving their final vows, Gemma said: "Luca, from the minute you walked in, straight away I knew you had something special about you," with Luca adding: "I know I tell you every day how sexy you are, but it's the little things that made me fall in love with you."
August 2022: Luca and Gemma finish Love Island in second place
On 1st August 2022, Luca and Gemma were crowned the runners-up of Love Island 2022! The pair finished in second place, with Ekin-Su and Davide being crowned the winners.
Luca and Gemma finished with 14.47% of the final public vote.
August 2022: Luca and Gemma return to the UK
Following the epic Love Island final 2022, Luca and Gemma returned home to the UK, before soon jetting off together on holiday with Gemma's family!
After arriving home, Luca began to discuss the pair moving in together, as well as his big plans to ask Gemma to officially be his girlfriend, saying: "There is a plan and it will hopefully happen in the next month and I'm sure you'll see it unfold. It'll be something to do with a swimming pool."
August 2022: Luca asks Gemma to be his official girlfriend
At the end of August, Luca followed up with his promise and finally asked Gemma to be his official girlfriend! Luca went all out, hiring a cello player alongside a romantic rose and balloon display, whilst gifting Gem with a stunning Cartier bracelet.
November 2022: Shock split
Just three months later, Gemma sadly announced she had split from Luca. Taking to her Instagram Story, she 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 you continued support as we start new chapters. Love always, Gem'. (sic)
November 2022: Luca responds to Gemma's statement
Shortly after Gemma shared the news of the split, Luca took to his Instagram Story to share his own statement: 'Switched my phone back on after taking some time out to clear my head after an emotional afternoon to thousands of messages and news articles about my breakup. 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 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.'
Just last weekend, fishmonger Luca asked 19-year-old Gemma to be his official girlfriend, after gaining the seal of approval from her mum and dad.
Renting out a stunning property and filling it with tonnes of balloons and red roses, Luca hired a cello player and gifted his girl with a super expensive Cartier bracelet.
Luckily for us, Luca also hired a videographer to capture the big moment, posting the clip to social media.
Now read:
Love Island's Gemma breaks silence on Luca's behaviour in the villa
TWO series of Love Island confirmed for 2023
Love Island couple first to SPLIT from 2022 series