Gemma Owen is now reportedly “dating” Manchester grime rapper Bugzy Malone just two months after splitting from Luca Bish.
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 23-year-old former fishmonger Luca Bish famously met on last summer’s series of the hit ITV2 reality show Love Island, but 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.
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After a three-month whirlwind romance, Gemma and Luca announced they had “made the mutual decision to go separate ways”.
Love Island’s Gemma Owen reportedly ‘dating’ Manchester rapper Bugzy Malone / Credit: Gemma Owen & Bugzy Malone (via Instagram)
Now, less than two months after Gemma split from Luca, it’s being reported that the 19-year-old is currently “dating” 32-year-old Bugzy Malone – with the pair’s romance reported to have had the blessing of their family and friends.
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According to reports doing the rounds, the Manchester grime star – whose real name is Aaron Davies, and hails from Crumpsall – is said to be is “really into” the former Love Island contest after the pair have been said to have enjoyed “a few dates”.
A source reportedly close to the pair told The Sun: “Gemma and Aaron have enjoyed a few dates over the past few weeks. They have told their closest friends they are dating and seem really happy together [but] they’re keeping their relationship out of the public eye for now because it is early days.
“He is really into her and has made it clear how he feels.
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“It is all very new and exciting for both of them but they are taking it slowly.”
Gemma Owen and Luca Bish called it quits last November / Credit: Luca Bish (via Instagram)
Bugzy Malone has previously kept his love life out of the public eye, and only revealed the identity of his previous partner of nine years when they got engaged back in December 2019, but if these reports and romantic links to Owen, the rapper and his former fiancée have seemingly called it quits.
Is there actually any truth to the rumours though? Well, while there has been no official confirmation of a romance, fans will no doubt be keeping their eyes peeled from now on.
Featured Image – Gemma Owen & Bugzy Malone (via Instagram)
TV & Showbiz
Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Featured Image – Altitude
TV & Showbiz
Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
Emily Sergeant -
17th January 2023 
