TV & Showbiz

Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma is heading into the Love Island villa

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th May 2022

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!’.

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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.”

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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’.

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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

ITV to launch external review into Phillip Schofield’s controversial This Morning exit

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

ITV has confirmed that it is commissioning an external review into Phillip Schofield’s controversial departure from This Morning.

It comes after the 61-year-old announced back on 20 May that he was to step down from presenting the ITV daytime show with immediate effect, after first taking over presenting reins in 2002 and fronting the programme for the past 21 years.

Alongside co-presenter Holly Willoughby, Schofield became a well-known face on daytime television and went on to win numerous awards for his presenting work over the past two decades – but rumours began swirling that his professional relationship and off-screen friendship with Willoughby had soured.

Schofield explained that the unconfirmed rift between himself and his co-presenter, as well as the fact “This Morning itself has become the story”, lead to his decision to depart to the show.

Schofield’s stepping down from the presenting role also comes after he had taken several weeks off-air recently – some as pre-planned leave, and some while his brother, Timothy Schofield, faced trial for sexual abuse against a teenage boy.

Phillip Schofield had presented the daytime TV show since 2002 before stepping down / Credit: ITV

Following his already-controversial exit, Schofield then issued a formal statement confirming he had an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague last Friday, and resigned from ITV all together after admitting to both the affair, and to lying about it.

ITV has now confirmed it has now instructed a barrister to carry out an external review into the situation to “establish the facts”.

Ahead of the broadcaster’s executives appearing before the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committe next week, and being quizzed by MPs over their handling of the situation at This Morning, ITV’s Dame Carolyn McCall said in a letter – as seen by the PA News Agency, and reported by Sky News, BBC News, ITV News, and more – said they are taking the matter “extremely seriously”.

ITV has commissioned an external review into the presenter’s controversial This Morning exit / Credit: ITV

She wrote: “You will have seen the significant media coverage concerning Phillip Schofield [and] as you would expect, we take the matter extremely seriously and have reviewed our own records over the weekend.

“Given the ongoing rumours, we continued to ask questions of both parties, who both continued to deny the rumours, including as recently as this month.

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“There has been a lot of inaccuracy in the reporting so I thought it would be useful to set out some facts.”

Featured Image – Ken McKay (via ITV)

TV & Showbiz

Council to vote on awarding Paul O’Grady Freedom of Wirral as a tribute to his legacy

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Wirral Council has revealed that Councillors are to discuss awarding Freedom of the Borough to Paul O’Grady in a tribute to his legacy.

The influential Merseyside-born TV personality passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully” at aged 67 at the end of March, and has been remembered for his illustrious entertainment career spanning over four decades – with countless tributes from fans and famous faces pouring in after his passing was announced.

O’Grady was known and loved by British audiences as a comedian, presenter, broadcaster, actor, writer, and the former drag queen Lily Savage.

He was also one of the nation’s most-famous dog lovers and animal rights advocates.

Since O’Grady has passed, more than £300,000 has been raised for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – which he had been a “devoted” ambassador for and long-time supporter of throughout his life – in his honour, and over 200,000 people signed an online petition for a statue of O’Grady to be permanently erected in his hometown.

Council to vote on awarding Paul O’Grady Freedom of Wirral as a tribute to his legacy / Credit: ITV

But now, coming up to two months following his passing, the Council responsible for O’Grady’s native Birkenhead has revealed the ways in which it is plans to permanently and sufficiently honour his legacy.

Wirral Council is debating whether to posthumously award O’Grady the Freedom of the Borough.

Revealing its plans in a statement today, Wirral Council explained: “Since the sad passing of Birkenhead’s legendary entertainer Paul O’Grady in March, we’ve heard the many asks for us to celebrate his legacy and we agree.

“The first step in doing so will see Councillors consider a recommendation to bestow the star… with the honour of Freedom of the Borough [as] this would recognise his years entertaining the nation, along with his dedicated activism and charity work.

“We are also looking at other ways to pay tribute to the legacy of both Paul and Lily [and] more details will be shared as soon as we have them.”

The Freedom of the Borough is known as the highest award a Council can bestow, and O’Grady’s consideration for this is to be officially discussed at Wirral Council’s Regulatory and General Purposes Committee next week on Wednesday 7 June from 6pm.

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Members of the public keen to see the outcome of the debate can watch on the livestream here.

Featured Image – BBC

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