TV & Showbiz

Love Island runners-up Gemma Owen and Luca Bish announce split

The young couple have "made the mutual decision to go our separate ways".

Emily Sergeant - 17th November 2022

Love Island couple Gemma Owen and Luca Bish have announced on social media that they have made the decision to split up.

19-year-old international dressage rider, fashion business owner, and influencer Gemma Owen – who is the eldest of four children to former Manchester United and England star Michael Owen – famously met 23-year-old former fishmonger Luca Bish on the most-recent series of the hit ITV2 reality show Love Island.

The pair 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 eight-week series.

Gemma and Luca did not become an official couple until the show had ended.

Taking to Instagram Stories to announce their break-up last night, Gemma – who is now a brand ambassador for Manchester-based fashion brand PrettyLittleThing – told her over 2.1 million followers that herself and Bish are “no longer in a relationship”.

Love Island’s Gemma Owen and Luca Bish announce they have split up / Credit: Matt Frost (via ITV) & Gemma Owen (via Instagram)

“I wanted to let you know that Luca and I are no longer in a relationship,” she wrote.

“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 your continued support as we start new chapters.”

Luca also took to Instagram shortly after Gemma to share his own words, and announce the pair had “made the mutual decision to go our separate ways”.

He continued: “Switched my phone back on after taking some time out to clear my head after an emotional afternoon to thousands of messages about my breakup.

“I would like some time to process this privately, but as you all already 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.”

The couple were runners-up in the latest series of the ITV reality show / Credit: Luca Bish (via Instagram)

Going through a series of ups and downs during their time in the villa, Gemma and Luca did not make their relationship official while starring on Love Island, but notably remained faithful to each other throughout the series, and during the infamous Casa Amor – where they reunited even after being coupled up with other contestants.

After leaving the villa, Luca asked Gemma to be his girlfriend during, what can only be described as an extravagant and lavish proposal back in August.

The couple shared the news they had made it official on Instagram.

Gemma and Luca came runners-up in the latest series of the show, and missed out on winning the £50,000 prize after coming in second to winners and ultimate fan-favourite couple, Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti.

Featured Image – ITV