Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma will be among the contestants on this year’s Love Island.
ITV has announced this morning that Gemma Owen, 19, will be heading into the villa on the search for love – and possibly a few business deals.
The young beauty is an international dressage rider and also owns her own swimwear line, OG Beachwear, which we’ll no doubt see a lot of over the coming weeks.
Gemma is the oldest of four children from footballing legend Michael Owen, who has previously played for Manchester United.
Revealing Gemma on the line-up for the hit reality dating show, ITV said that they ‘cannot wait to watch her smoulder in the villa!’.
Gemma Owen with famous dad Michael. Credit: Instagram, @themichaelowen
They wrote: “Gemma is used to the spotlight, having ‘travelled all across Europe, competing in big arenas in big competitions’. Plus her dad was a professional football player… That sporting spirit must run in the family!”
Gemma said: “I would say I’m very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want.”
The Chester-born contestant also detailed a previous date, where she was whisked away to Paris.
According to ITV, her family and friends describe her as ‘very honest and a bit stubborn, straight up and a bit fiery’.
Other contestants announced so far include ‘Italian stallion’ Davide, who lives in Manchester; Irish microbiologist Dami; and model and dancer Tasha, from Thirsk in Yorkshire.
Love Island returns to screens on Monday 6 June.
Featured image: ITV
TV & Showbiz
Liam is paying a subtle nod to another member of the Gallagher family in the Oasis reunion set
Danny Jones
In yet another cute and rather unexpected moment about the Oasis reunion set during the first two nights in Cardiff, Liam Gallagher paid a lovely tribute to an unsung member of the musical family: his adopted dog, Buttons.
Because rock stars do whatever they want.
That’s right, while most people were understandably keeping their eyes firmly fixed on Liam and Noel as they still try and get to grips with the fact that they’re both actually there, on stage, in the flesh, other eagle-eyed viewers noticed a subtle nod playing on the massive telly behind them.
Flashing up right in the middle big screen was a technicolour image of none other than Buttons himself, whose adorable little face appeared during ‘Roll With It’ on night one at the Principality Stadium.
I’ll share more of Buttons story today on my insta for the day that’s in it…https://t.co/B8ruKgLn4p
This video from Niall Harbison – the person who was responsible for putting the two together in the first place – was likely something the animal rescuer was made aware of ahead of time, but it’s nevertheless still a very lovely touch.
For anyone unfamiliar with the full story, Niall has spent years saving dogs and other pets from poverty and the street over in Thailand, and one of those was Buttons.
During a visit from Liam and partner Debbie Gwyther (also his manager), the pair ended up being introduced to the pup and instantly fell in love.
Arranging to have what would soon be his favourite pet shipped over to the UK, he and LG have now been pretty much inseparable since September 2023.
This isn’t the only touching gesture seen so far on the Live ’25 tour:
Buttons the dog wasn’t the only soul that Oasis paid tribute to.
The Burnage boys’ comeback was always going to be unforgettable, even if they just got up there and did little more than play the songs, but it’s extra touches like these that are helping make the memories even more special.
In the case of Niall, regardless of whether he knew this was going to happen or not, it must have been an incredible feeling to see one of the countless street dogs he’s saved, not only now rehomed and happy but quite literally getting his own moment in the spotlight.
There were a lot of little details we noticed on night one of Live ’25 in Cardiff, and who knows how many of them will remain in the set for the rest of the reunion tour, but it’s great to see Oasis being reactive and the crew going the extra mile.
'I Hope, I Think, I KNOW' #Oasis Manchester homecoming is going to be nothing short of a religious experience. 🙏
We got to see a music legend from the best seats in the house – here’s how you can too
Danny Jones
We recently went to one of the biggest gigs of the year here in Manchester and got to see the show from the luxury of a VIP suite for less than the standard price – here’s how you can do the same.
The idea of watching not only one of the greatest musicians of all time, but doing so from hospitality or a posh box at an arena, might seem far too out of pocket for plenty of gig-goers; however, after stumbling across a criminally unknown hospitality provider, we’re here to tell you you’re wrong.
We’re talking about Sport and Music, a promotion company that specialises in corporate, hospitality and VIP tickets to some of the biggest live entertainment dates across the UK and beyond.
Heading for our first visit on one of these tickets, we went to see none other than the legend that is Bruce Springsteen, and this is what greeted us when we arrived:
Stylish and well-situated.We managed to catch a wave and some brief eye-contact from our swanky balcony spot.Credit: Audio North
Not a bad place to watch a concert, eh?
What you’re looking at is the view from one ofCo-op Live VIP suites, where we were hosted by Sport and Music team as well as the venue’s wonderful hospitality staff.
Although there are plenty of boxes located around the arena, this particular has the advantage of not only being located nice and near to the stage – seriously, Brucey was so close we could practically smell him – but even before sitting in the luxurious seats, there was a really nice cosy atmosphere to the room.
Perfect for getting a small to medium-sized group of mates together, you and your family, or perhaps a fun idea for a work outing, there was plenty of room, storage, and even a sofa nook tucked behind a curtain in the corner.
As well as a full TV and speaker set-up to suit all your AV needs before and after your event of choice, there was a fully stocked fridge and a designated server just for us.
Besides being greeted with a drink on arrival, you can obviously keep topping up your drinks throughout the night without ever having to leave the comfort of your seat.
That being said, the wider VIP area and the likes of the arena’sBackstage Club promise a cool and vibrant atmosphere, making this extra special experience more value for money.
Also, there is, of course, room to order yourself some food to keep you ‘Dancing In The Dark’ long into the night; offerings include stonebaked pizzas, loaded fries and plenty more.
Or, you know, if you just want a simple snack, you can always make the most of Co-op’s ironically convenient little mini-convenience stores located around the arena.
Nothing keeps you grounded like grabbing a quick sausage roll from the bakery as well.
Cocktails from the Backstage Club at Lionel Richie’s show.We had some solid slices on our next visit.(Credit: The Manc Group)
All in all, our review of the Sport and Music hospitality experience is a glowing one: not only was it nice to spoil ourselves with some special treatment (we all deserve it from time to time), but the attractive deals available make it a genuinely viable way to make your night extra memorable.
Especially if you’re then going to split the cost of, say, aVIP suite at Co-op Live between you and even just one friend.
You can find out more information and see what events they currently have ticket availability forHERE.
Oh, and if you’re wondering if ‘The Boss’ is still up to the job at 75, we think this picture proves that his ‘Glory Days’ are far from over…