All the signs that Gemma Owen’s dad Michael never approved of Luca after split
LOVE Island stars Gemma Owen and Luca Bish announced their split this week after three months of dating outside the villa.
While their fans were left devastated – the former couple’s followers have been speculating that the dressage rider’s dad Michael isn’t.
Since appearing on Love Island together this summer, fans have long speculated that former footballer Michael, 42, never approved.
They spotted a number of signs that the Liverpool ace was against Gemma, 19, being partnered with Luca, 23, from the get go.
From not wanting to meet the former fishmonger in the villa, to avoiding him at red carpets and rinsing his sporting abilities, Michael gave plenty of hints he may not have been a fan of Luca.
Here we look into all the signs that Michael never approved of the relationship after it came to a shock end this week.
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Avoiding meeting him in the villa
Love Island fans were certain that Michael wasn’t keen on Luca when it was revealed he would not be making a villa appearance.
Normally, Islanders parents come to visit them – and their prospective partners – during their time on the ITV2 show.
But the infamous Meet the Parents episode didn’t include Michael, with Gemma’s mum Louise Bonsall, 41 and friend Sarah jetted to Majorca to visit the dressage champ instead.
This left fans on social media believing that Michael isn’t a fan of the fishmonger, with Luca disappointed not to meet the footballer.
No-show for the airport pick up
After Love Island came to an end, Michael failed to show up at the airport after his daughter Gemma flew home with Luca.
Luca was surrounded by his own family, including his mum and sister, after touching back down in the UK following eight weeks away.
Islander Gemma was greeted by her mum Louise and her siblings as she arrived at the airport, but there was no sign of the footballer.
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Refused to watch the couple on screen
Michael also admitted that he hadn’t been tuning in to watch his daughter’s challenges – as he didn’t want to see her “kiss” boys.
Insisting that he had “no worries” during the show, he instead revealed he refused to tune in for the often saucy challenges to avoid watching Gemma “kissing” people on the screen.
“She’s pretty sensible and she’s a good kid,” Michael added. “I just didn’t bring myself to watch some of the challenges and things like that. I don’t like seeing my daughter kiss people.”
However, Gemma spent much of her time on the show coupled up with Luca – which meant the pair were often seen snogging on TV.
Kicked out the family photo
Michael and Luca finally met as they jetted off on a family holiday together to Portugal – as the pair were seen sitting together.
However, Luca was missed out of the family photo posted by Michael.
He shared a snap of with his wife Louise Bonsall, and kids Emily, Jessica and James at Restaurante Alambique in Almancil, Portugal.
Michael captioned the post: “Family -1” – hinting that Gemma was the only person on the holiday missing from the pic.
Luca rushed to the comments section to correct Michael, saying “-2”, as fans were left cringing at the obvious snub from the footballer.
Luca was then missed out of a SECOND family photo in October, as the family posed together on top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
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Long social media snub
Despite Luca and Michael meeting, eagle-eyed social media users noted how the former footballer STILL didn’t follow him.
The ex Liverpool player took to his Instagram grid to post a new snap, showing him smiling in a promotional advert.
But instead of fans flooded the comments section to ask Michael as to why he still hadn’t followed Luca back on Instagram – as he still failed to show on his ‘following’ list.
“Don’t even acknowledge Luca,” one Love Island fan wrote as they signalled to others to look, as a second chimed in: “Not a fan?”
On the red carpet without Luca
Michael only joined his daughter Gemma on the red carpet when Luca was missing – as the father-daughter duo headed to the NTAs.
The pair presented a gong together at the highly-anticipated awards, and hit the red carpet to post for photos together.
While fans had hoped to see them together as a family, Gemma and Michael appeared at London’s Wembley Arena night to present the award for Serial Drama Performance.
Luca took to his Instagram Stories to share a snap of him with Gemma and wrote: “Gutted to be missing this one presenting an award at the NTAs tonight but I couldn’t be prouder.”
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Butt of the jokes in Dubai
Luca jetted off with Michael, Gemma and the family to Dubai earlier this month – but was seen being teased by the footballer.
During one day, Luca took part in an impromptu family sports day, and got rinsed by former England star Michael Owen as he played frisbee.
As Michael lobbed the disc in the air, the former fishmonger made several failed attempts to try and catch it.
With Gemma watching on, Michael couldn’t help but make cheeky comments at his daughter’s boyfriend, calling him “butterfingers” as the frisbee slipped from Luca’s grasp and landed in the water.
