Gemma Owen says she’s “definitely single” as she denies the rumours she’s romantically linked to Manchester rapper Bugzy Malone.
The 19-year-old international dressage rider, fashion business owner, and influencer – who is the eldest of four children to former Manchester United and England star Michael Owen – and the 32-year-old grime star from Manchester grabbed headlines yesterday after The Sun reported that they were currently “dating” each other.
Sources told The Sun that the rapper – whose real name is Aaron Davies, and hails from Crumpsall – was apparently “really into” the former Love Island contest after the pair have been said to have enjoyed “a few dates”.
Reports suggested it was “early days” between the pair, but the supposed romance was said to have had the blessing of their family and friends.
But, probably quite unsurprisingly, it turns out there’s no truth to the rumours.
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Gemma Owen and Bugzy Malone say they’ve ‘never spoken’ and deny romance rumours / Credit: Gemma Owen | Bugzy Malone
Denying links to Bugzy Malone, Gemma exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail: “I have never met or spoken to him and we don’t follow each other on social media.
“I am not dating and I am definitely single.
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“Just after Christmas, I had much needed time with my family and friends and I am working on myself. I am not going to date anytime soon and I’m not looking. On a personal level, I want to work on my happiness and investing time in people close to me, my family and friends and just being content in myself.”
Bugzy Malone also took to social to quash the claims he was romantically linked to Gemma, explaining on Instagram yesterday: “@themichaelowen your daughter looks lovely r kid, but 19 just isn’t my cup of tea or coffee.
The romance rumours between the Gemma and Bugzy came less than two months after Gemma announced that she and 23-year-old former fishmonger Luca Bish – who famously met on last summer’s series of the hit ITV2 reality show Love Island – announced they had made the decision to split up last November.
Fans will remember Gemma and Luca were not initially ‘coupled up’ when the show first started, but hit it off after the first week or so and remained together for the majority of the series, despite several ups and downs over the eight weeks.
The pair did not become an official couple until the show had ended.
After leaving the villa, Luca asked Gemma to be his girlfriend in, what can only be described as, an extravagant and lavish proposal back in August 2022, and the couple shared the news they had made it official on Instagram.
After a three-month whirlwind romance, Gemma and Luca announced they had “made the mutual decision to go separate ways”.
Featured Image – Gemma Owen & Bugzy Malone
TV & Showbiz
Trailer released for new Harlan Coben thriller series Lazarus filmed in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
The trailer for Harlan Coben’s newest thriller series filmed in Manchester has been released ahead of airing later this month.
You may remember that, back in January of last year, Netflix confirmed it would be creating two more new Harlan Coben shows, following the smash-hit success of Fool Me Once starring Manchester’s-own Michelle Keegan – titled Missing You and Run Away.
Missing You went on to air on New Year’s Day this year, and it was announced in late January that Run Awaywas set to begin filming, again in Manchester, very soon.
But it turns out it’s not only Netflix that Harlan Coben fans need to be keeping their eye on, as Amazon Prime Video is now getting in on the action too.
First look images have been shared ahead of the release of Harlan Coben’s new thriller series filmed in Manchester / Credit: Ben Blackall (via Prime Video)
Prime Video has now released the official trailer for the highly-anticipated new thriller series Lazarus, which is based on an original story idea and written by the New York Times best-selling author, Harlan Coben, alongside his regular writing collaborator, BAFTA-winner Danny Brocklehurst.
Coben has worked with the critically-acclaimed Hyde-born screenwriter – who is most-famous for being the creator and writer of Sky One’s Brassic – for the creation of Lazarus, and it’s expected to be around the sixth time the pair have collaborated, with their previous successful works including Safe, The Stranger, and Stay Close.
Lazarus is set to follow title character Joel Lazarus who returns home after his father Dr Jonathan Lazarus dies by suicide, and begins to have disturbing experiences that can’t be explained.
He quickly becomes entangled in a series of cold-case murders as he grapples with the mystery of his father’s death and his sister’s murder 25 years ago.
The six-part thriller series stars big names like Sam Claflin as Joel Lazarus, and Bill Nighy as his father Dr Jonathan – with supporting performances coming from Alexandra Roach, David Fynn, Karla Crome and Kate Ashfield, to name just a few.
The show will be executive produced by Harlan Coben and Danny Brocklehurst, alongside star Sam Claflin, BAFTA-winner Nicola Shindler and Richard Fee for Quay Street Productions – which is part of ITV Studios.
All six episodes of Lazarus are set to be exclusively released Prime Video on Wednesday 22 October in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Featured Image – Ben Blackall (via Prime Video)
TV & Showbiz
Manc music legends James announce MASSIVE hometown show
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester music legends James have just revealed a massive hometown show here in the city centre as part of a landmark domestic arena tour.
Daisy bucket hats at the ready.
James is arguably the epitome of what it is to be the understated, underdog British band; they’ve gone about the business of making quality music somewhat quietly for several decades now, but they’ve had a fresh wave of interest over the past year or so
Having opened up for the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen’s comeback shows, not to mention playing multiple big festival slots in recent months alone, they’ve now announced a huge run of UK arena shows – and nowhere does a James crowd quite like us Mancs.
Details have been announced for our 2026 UK arena tour, and we’re delighted to be joined by very special guests @dovesmusicblog with tickets going on general sale this Friday at 9:30am. Access the ticket pre-sale on Wednesday via our official store: https://t.co/DwpGrAUESZ NBL x pic.twitter.com/A4CWVpCooL
Announced as part of the celebrations around their Nothing But Love ‘best of’ LP, which pulls tracks from James’ whopping 18 studio albums, the new run of UK arena shows in 2026 follows on from numerous noteworthy shows this calendar year.
In addition to the aforementioned outdoor gigs, like their stunning sold-out night at The Piece Hall in Halifax – not too far from frontman Tim Booth’s hometown in Yorkshire – the indie veterans also celebrated a huge landmark in 2025.
Surpassing the milestone of 40 years as a band, with a lineup that’s remained largely intact and only really grown in terms of live session players and touring bandmates.
The new “definitive” greatest hits record also includes two brand-new songs in ‘Wake Up Superman’ and ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’, both of which are produced by Leo Abrahams, who worked with the band on their long-awaited number one album Yummy in 2024 – a feat loooong overdue if you ask us.
As evidenced by the sheer amount of new material they continue to put out and the almost non-stop touring, they remain one of the most prolific artists in the country. FACT.
You can see the rest of James’ upcoming tour dates, including a healthy number of Northern stops in the likes of Liverpool, Leeds and more.
James UK arena tour dates 2026
Fri 2 Birmingham Utilita Arena
Sat 4 Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
Tues 7 Aberdeen P&J Live
Wed 8 Glasgow OVO Hydro
Fri 10 Newcastle Utilita Arena
Sat 11 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
Mon 13 Cardiff Utilita Arena
Tues 14 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Fri 17 London The O2
Sat 18 Manchester Co-op Live
With James returning to Manchester for their Co-op Live arena debut next April, along with a sensational support slot from fellow local legends, Doves (I know, how lucky are you lot?!), you can bank on this one selling out quickly.
General admission goes on sale this Friday, 10 October at 9:30am, so you’d better be ready to grab yours in a flash.
You can find the ticket link HERE, and we’ll see you in the crowd for a good ol’ singalong.
Emily Sergeant -
18th January 2023 
