Gemma Owen in major swipe at Love Island ex Luca Bish and says she has ‘no regrets’
GEMMA Owen has taken a major swipe at her Love Island ex Luca Bish, saying she has “no regrets” over their split.
The reality TV star – who rose to fame on the ITV2 dating show earlier this year – weighed in on her year as she looked back ahead of the Christmas season.
Dressage rider Gemma, 19, who was coupled up with Luca, 23, on the programme, split with her fishmonger last month.
The pair were together for three months after being crowned one of the runner’s up on this year’s series of Love Island.
However, Gemma has since opened up that she has “no regrets” over any of her year – including the couple’s split.
She told Tatler: “It’s been a really good year that I definitely won’t forget. I don’t have any regrets, which is important.”
Gemma added of the possible reasons behind the break-up: “Your life’s under a little bit of a microscope.
“People question decisions or think they know what’s going on in your life when they perhaps don’t know the full story.”
It comes after Gemma confirmed she’ll lift the lid on her Love Island fame in a new reality show with her dad Michael.
The star is in advanced talks to film an at-home-with-the-Owens reality show to the UK next year.
“There can be a stigma when you do a show like Love Island,” Gemma told The Times.
“But there are amazing opportunities too if you can just be yourself. I wanted to do it, but only if I could just be me: plain-spoken and real. I am good at not showing my feelings if I have to.”
The Owens’ show will likely follow the teenage businesswoman training for international dressage competition.
Gemma added: “I got to watch up close how my dad handled things when football finished.
“Normal and grounded is good. Success can quickly change or fade. Family, friends and, for me, horses, are for ever.”
Gemma finished second in the Love Island final alongside her boyfriend Luca, who she split with last month.
They had been splitting their time between Brighton, where Luca lives, and north Wales where Gemma lives with her family in a £50million mansion.
A source said: “Gemma and Luca went from living together for weeks on Love Island and seeing each other every day, to being hundreds of miles apart.
“It would put any relationship under strain. In the end it just became too difficult. They did discuss moving in together, but Gemma isn’t at a stage in her life where she really wants to move away from north Wales. She loves it there and Luca also loves his life in Brighton.
“It’s sad but they’ve parted on really good terms and they will definitely be keeping in touch and staying friends.
“Gemma’s family, including Michael, really liked Luca and are sad that things didn’t work out but they’ve rallied round to support Gem.
“It’s likely they will all go abroad for Christmas which is something Gemma is looking forward to. It will give her the chance to reset and look forward to 2023 because she has big plans.
“She wants to develop her fashion and clothing line, and there is also interest from TV producers about programmes.
“Love Island has opened so many doors for Gemma and she doesn’t regret going on. Not least because she met Luca who she had an amazing few months with and who she made memories with that she will always cherish.”