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
Manc fiancés brave enough to have their wedding planned by amateurs wanted for new series
Emily Sergeant
Just got engaged recently? Reckon you’d be brave enough to hand the wedding planning reins over to an amateur to sort out on your behalf?
Well, it sounds like you could be exactly what the BBC‘s looking for.
Casting directors behind one of the broadcaster’s newest smash-hit reality competition shows, Ultimate Wedding Planner, are currently planning for the next series of the show – which is set to hit our screens in 2024 – and are calling on engaged couples from Greater Manchester to put themselves forward for taking part.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the series, Ultimate Wedding Planner sees eight aspiring wedding planners battle it out to become the best of the best.
Six of Britain’s bravest couples agree to let them take control of the biggest day of their lives.
Manc fiancés brave enough to have their wedding planned by amateurs wanted for new series / Credit: BBC
Working to a budget, and under the watchful eye of the three celebrity judges, Fred Sirieix, Sara Davies, and Raj Somaiya, the aspiring planners have to upscale the design and guest experience for six real-life weddings.
They’re tasked with everything from organising table designs, floral centrepieces, aisle runners, menus, and bespoke themed installation builds, to arranging firework displays, acrobatics, dance troops, and even light displays.
Each episode, the aspiring planners have just three days to make the couples’ wildest dreams become a reality, and ultimately, “supersize their wedding day to transform it from ordinary to extraordinary”.
So, if you’re getting married in the UK next year, the BBC wants to hear from you.
Those who are ready to hand over control, and are keen for their wedding to be considered, are urged to get in touch with the BBC to register their interest.
At the moment, with a second series of the show only potentially in the works and still yet to be confirmed, the BBC wants interested couples to know that subject to having registered their interest, an online application form to complete for consideration will be sent out in due course.
Boxing legend Ricky Hatton revealed as first Dancing on Ice contestant for 2024
Danny Jones
In a surprising announcement from the world of television and boxing, legendary fighter and Manc sporting icon Ricky Hatton has been announced as the very first contestant on the next season of Dancing on Ice.
And yes, we’d wager we’re about as surprised as you are.
Ricky Hatton fully retired from boxing back in 2012 and has been busy coaching at his gym in Hyde ever since, but did return for an exhibition match in November last year and has clearly been keeping in shape — so much so that he fancied a crack at joining the Dancing on Ice cast of 2024
Appearing on This Morning on Tuesday, 26 September, the Stockport-born bruiser confirmed that he will be taking part in the upcoming series which starts in January.
If they don’t do a routine set to the tune of ‘Blue Moon’, it’ll be us who start throwing fists.
Punching his way onto the ITV studio this morning, Hatton revealed himself as the first contestant of the hit ice-skating reality show next season, with presenter Holly Willoughby stating that she “can’t wait to get [him] in the rink” and Ricky joking, “I wish I shared your confidence”.
Explaining exactly why he said yes, the 44-year-old said, “I like setting new challenges and keeping myself busy”, acknowledging that he also struggled with retirement when he hung up his gloves.
Stressing that part of his motivation is also mental health — for which he has become an avid campaigner — he insisted that “keeping active and doing things that are positive” isn’t just something he is striving for but believes that others should take note of.
Admitting that there aren’t many adventures quite as new as taking on Dancing on Ice in front of millions of viewers watching back home, ‘Hitman’ said, “If I can hold my nerve in the boxing ring I should be able to hold my nerve in the ice rink.”
As for how well he’ll fare swapping the ring for the rink, only time will tell but he was always known for his footwork just as much as he was for his power, so we’re backing him to be a bit of a dark horse.
We can’t wait to see the Mancunian get skating, especially with him making such a concerted effort to raise awareness surrounding mental health and how keeping busy, exercising and setting yourself new challenges can have a big impact.
The Manc had the immense pleasure of chatting with Ricky a few months back ahead of the 2023 Manchester Remembers charity match, another cause he was proud to get behind. It was a joy.
Emily Sergeant -
17th January 2023 
