Luca Bish ‘blindsided’ by split with Gemma Owen and begged her to reconsider before news leaked
LOVE Island’s Luca Bish was blindsided by Gemma Owen’s decision to end their relationship, an insider has revealed.
Gemma stunned fans when she announced the couple’s split last night, just three months after they appeared on Love Island.
And it appears Luca was as shocked as anyone.
A source said: “Luca had no idea that Gemma was going to end things.
“He feels really embarrassed about the whole thing. He was gushing about her at events this week – while she was planning to end it.
“He begged her to keep trying but she had made up her mind. He feels like he has put up with a lot – after being slammed on the show and mocked about Michael Owen, so he’s feeling pretty upset and angry right now.”
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The Sun has contacted representatives for Gemma and Luca for comment.
Dressage rider Gemma, 19, said it was a ‘difficult decision’ to end her romance with the former fishmonger, 23, who she was last pictured with at the start of the month.
The pair were runners up on Love Island over the summer, losing out to Davide and Ekin-Su.
Gemma, who is the daughter of footballer Michael, announced the news on Instagram.
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She wrote: “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 both of us right now.
“Many of you have been on this journey with us from the beginning and I want to thank you for your continued support as a new chapter starts.”
Luca responded with his own statement that read: “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 to have had some time to process this privately but as you all already now know, 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.”
Gemma sparked concern last month of trouble in paradise with boyfriend Luca after failing to mention him in her interview with Tatler.
And this week fans noticed that she wasn’t by Luca’s side as he attended various events.
Gemma and Luca remained together throughout their whole time on Love Island but decided to not make things official until they came home.
Luca put on a very extravagant display when he asked her to be his girlfriend – as he presented her with a £6k Cartier bracelet.
During their time on the ITV2 dating show fans joked that Luca was only with Gemma to meet her dad.
He later grew close to the family and squeezed in a couple of trips abroad with them during the short lived romance.
Earlier this week Luca discussed their relationship as he attended the TV Choice Awards alone.
He told On Demand Entertainment: “You’re naïve to go in there to think your going to find love. It’s called Love Island, but I never went in there thinking I’d meet Gemma.
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“I’d be a liar to say that. I went in there for a good summer and to have a good time and on top of it all I’ve met a girl I couldn’t ask anymore from.
“Me and Gemma are the youngest couple to come out the show and we’ve not planned anything. We just take it day by day and as it comes.”
