Michael Owen speaks on watching daughter Gemma being on Love Island

Michael Owen speaks on watching his daughter Gemma being on Love Island, flaunting herself and getting into raunchy situations.

The ex-Premier League footballer admits he is having to go through what no father wants – to watch their 19-year-old get intimate on a reality show.

The new series of the ITV series made its return to screens on Monday night and luckily for him, Michael was out of the country at the time, but, on his return on Wednesday, he decided to tune in and see how his daughter, Gemma, was getting on.

Owen saw Gemma ‘coupled up’ and sharing a bed with an Italian called Davide, who is eight years older than her.

Speaking to the Mail Online about the controversial show, Owen said: “It’s not something any father wants to watch, is it? I said to [my wife] Louise, ‘do they really have to sleep together, like in the same bed?’ She said ‘yes’. I said ‘I did not bank on this’.”

He carried on watching and added: “Luckily for me, there was no physical contact. Gemma had her back to the guy. There was space between them. I thought, ‘Good girl’. No father wants to see physical contact, do they? I certainly don’t.

“If there is physical contact I think I’ll be throwing something at the screen. I don’t want to see kissing. Do not make me see kissing!”

Owen revealed that Gemma spoke with her parents before appearing on the show: “She wanted our blessing. She would never do something if she thought we’d be ashamed or disappointed in her, or her grandparents would be disappointed.

“You have two choices. You can either say, ‘no way. No daughter of mine . . .’, or you can be supportive. I think being supportive is always the better option. I suppose it comes down to love and trust. Eventually I looked at it like this: ‘This is the test. If we’ve done everything right in bringing her up, which I think we have, then we shouldn’t be scared of this.’

“It wouldn’t have been my choice, but at some point you’ve got to trust your own parenting. You have to let them go, spread their wings. She’s a sensible girl. She won’t do anything that’ll make us ashamed.”

There has been plenty of talk on social media as to whether it is appropriate for Gemma to be on Love Island, given she is still a teenager. However Owen equated that to his own situation in the Liverpool dressing room when breaking through as a footballer.

He said: “She has had two years more than I had to get ready for life in the public eye. Also, she’s a mature 19. She’s a bit like me in that regard. I was playing for Liverpool when I was 17, and having to make friends with 23, 24, 25-year-olds. The bottom line is, she’s an adult and I have to trust her to make sensible decisions.

“I’ll be honest with you. Twenty years ago, if I’d known I was going to have three daughters, I’d have said I’d be greeting any lads who came near them with a baseball bat. But you have to be realistic. My daughters are going to kiss people. They are going to have boyfriends, husbands, children one day. I get it.

“Most girls don’t kiss boys when their dads are watching, but that’s what the show is. And you’re being blind if you don’t realise this is going on in real life too.”

Michael thought he would escape that unwanted attention and coverage of Gemma’s exploits while working as a pundit for the Nations League game in Germany.

However, presenter Jules Breach said right at the beginning of the show while introducing Owen: “Joining me hoping to see another famous win for England tonight in Munich, England and Arsenal midfield Jordan Nobbs, former England, West Ham and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole and the father of Love Island’s Gemma Owen.”

Breach then asked Owen: “A big night for the Owens last night Michael, how are you feeling?”

And he replied: “I came all the way to Germany to try and avoid all that back home, but it has been brought up straight away!

“But I am feeling alright. This is taking my mind off it so don’t bring it back up.”

Fans reacted as Michael Owen speaks on watching daughter Gemma being on Love Island…

@Phill_McC3rd: Did he say anything about her posting her fanny all over the internet 🤔😬

@CockOnBallStory: Had no idea Gemma’s dad was Michael Owen but the way she speaks – monotone and matter of fact – shows the Apple didn’t fall far from that tree. She’s 19 going on 45 with two kids a divorce already behind her haha

@cfet13: You were good with balls Michael, you can’t expect your daughter to be any different

@alfieafc45: I love Gemma she’s a very beautiful young lady who doesn’t deserve all this drama from people, I think she carries herself really well she’s strong and knows what she wants in life and for her age that’s rare 👌 best of luck to her I say 💯

@tylerleeharris2: Your daughter gonna be tasting davides antipasto selection

@DannyShoulder: Wait till she gets rattled in the hideaway Michael son

@DonnyScouse: To be fair she hasn’t put a foot wrong, she’s a very mature 19 year old, she knows dads watching 🫣

@JohnnieToon83: It would be karma if he strung her along for 4 years, milking her for all she’s got. Making an appearance when he feels like it. Then early summer saying he wants away because he wants to see who else is interested when she needs him most. 🤷🏻🙋‍♂️ @alanshearer

@AdamOz13: Bollocks Michael. Bet you’re fucking loving this attention

@callumharvey21 (replying to Michael Owen): it’s crazy how she’s just as boring as you though

@number8buser: Shame she’s desperate for fame.

@allenhillfbtt: I wouldn’t be a happy father if my daughter was on a program like love island.

@John_Pile: It’s only going to get worse for you, Michael. 🍆💦

@s0phill: Michael Owen is definitely paying for Gemma’s air time here #LoveIsland