Michael Owen hits back at Love Island fans branding daughter Gemma ‘rude and too young’
Gemma Owen’s dad Michael has clapped back at Love Island fans questioning his 19-year-old daughter’s attitude and age on the ITV2 show as she settles into her first week in the villa
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Love Island: Gemma Owen plants kiss on Davide Sanclimenti
Michael Owen has slammed Love Island fans who reckon his daughter Gemma is ‘rude and too young’.
The 19-year-old dressage rider has caused quite the controversy since rocking up on the ITV2 show last week.
Some viewers have questioned her attitude, with several suggesting the dressage rider needs to work on her manners.
Others reckon the famous offspring is far too young to be in the villa, especially as she’s paired with Davide Sanclimenti, who is eight years her senior.
But now former footballer Michael has clapped back at criticism of his daughter.
Admitting Gemma’s mum Louise was “very upset” after reading the comments, he said: “To look at my social media feeds you’d think 70 per cent of the world hates me, but it’s different when it’s your daughter.”
Michael Owen says Gemma is still his baby
Image:
( Michael Owen/Instagram)
Michael also pointed out that Gemma’s siblings James, 16, Emily, 14, and Jessica, 12 were reading the online criticism.
Revealing the hardest things to read about his daughter had been the digs about her personality, he insisted: “She’s not two-faced. She’s loyal, a decent person,” he told MailOnline.
Much has been made of Gemma’s age, with many fans getting the ick over her being eight years younger than her current beau Davide.
But Michael reckons his daughter is mature enough to be on the show, pointing out he was playing for Liverpool when he was just 17.
She’s been called out for being rude
Image:
( ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
And even though Gemma is still his “baby”, the ex-England international said he trusts his daughter to make her decisions.
Someone who made a huge decision on last night’s show was Welsh contestant Liam Llewellyn.
After less than a week in the villa, the 22-year-old decided to call it a day as he told his pals he’d quit the show.
Michael reckons his daughter is mature enough to be on the show
Image:
( Michael Owen/Instagram)
Gemma was initially coupled with Liam until Davide made a beeline for the brunette beauty.
Fans called out the bombshell for being rude to Liam, saying she made it blatantly obvious she wasn’t interested in him.
But after his own bombshell last night, Gemma admitted she “felt proper guilty” for the role she played in the student’s decision to quit.
Gemma said she felt guilty about Liam leaving
Image:
( ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“I wasn’t expecting that from you. It’s just a shame because we started it together and it will be weird not having you around, I do care for you and it will be weird.” she told him.
However before entering the villa, Liam told The Mirror his biggest fear was not being picked by any of the girls on the show.
“Everyone wants to be wanted, and wants to be picked. So it’s the feeling of not being picked is a nerve-wracking thought for me. That feeling of being rejected, it’s never a nice feeling,” he admitted.
Love Island continues every night at 9pm on ITV2
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