‘I came all the way to Germany to try and avoid it!’ Michael Owen laughs off jokes about his daughter Gemma’s starring role on Love Island during TV pundit job
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Michael Owen can’t avoid his daughter Gemma’s Love Island antics.
The former footballer turned pundit was confronted with jokes about his 19-year-old daughter’s TV role live on air on Tuesday night during Channel 4’s coverage of Germany v England in Berlin.
Just two hours before ITV2 viewers saw Gemma couple up with Italian Stallion Davide Sanclimenti, 27, in the Love Island villa, Michael was deflecting jokes from his colleagues about the raunchy dating show.
Dad jokes: Michael Owen was confronted with jokes about his 19-year-old daughter’s Love Island antic during Channel 4’s coverage of Germany v England in Berlin on Tuesday
Channel 4’s host for the Live UEFA Nations League clash on Tuesday Jules Breach couldn’t help a reference to Gemma as she introduced the panel of pundits at the start of the coverage.
After introducing ‘England and Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs, former England, Chelsea and West Ham midfielder Joe Cole,’ Jules turned to the highly decorated Michael, saying:
‘And the father of Love Island’s Gemma Owen, Michael Owen here with us, a big night for the Owens last night Michael, how are you feeling today?’
Good sport Michael laughed off his intro, telling Jules: ‘I came all the way to Germany to try to avoid all that back at home, and you’ve brought it up straight away.’
Raunchy: Just two hours before ITV2 viewers saw Gemma kiss Liam and couple up with Italian Stallion Davide in the Love Island villa, Michael was deflecting jokes from his colleagues
Good sport: Channel 4’s host for the Live UEFA Nations League clash on Tuesday Jules Breach couldn’t help a reference to Gemma as she introduced the panel of pundits
‘I’m feeling alright thank you. Yeah. This is taking my mind off it, so don’t bring it back up.’
During Tuesday night’s Love Island, viewers saw bombshell Davide pick Gemma to couple up with in the first recoupling of the series.
Watching the scenes unfold, fans slammed the Italian hunk, 27, for picking the wrong girl and claimed he made a ‘mistake’ after stealing the beauty, 19, away from her partner Liam Llewellyn.
Meanwhile, despite them both being consenting adults, fans also shared their discomfort over the pair’s eight-year age gap, with some wondering why Davide would pick someone so young.
All jokes: Good sport Michael laughed off his intro, telling Jules: ‘I came all the way to Germany to try to avoid all that back at home, and you’ve brought it up straight away’
Gemma so far has failed to win over viewers in the villa. According to Ladbrokes, the dressage rider has ‘tumbled to third-favourite’ despite heading the pack before the series premier on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of the betting company, Alex Apati told The Sun: ‘Punters may have scored an own goal in backing Gemma Owen for success in the villa.
‘Having headed the betting before Monday’s series opener, she’s tumbled to third-favourite, behind the popular Paige and Tasha.
During Monday’s opening episode of Love Island, viewers were left imagining Michael’s reaction as he watched his daughter’s debut, digging up a 2014 tweet from the pundit.
Reaction: As fans watched Gemma plant a kiss on Davide within hours of entering the villa alongside her attempts to name drop her father, they dug up a 2014 tweet from Michael
While the ex footballer’s original tweet about not being able to ‘take the pain’ referred to an England team defeat in the 2014 World Cup, many Love Island fans pointed out the sentiment also fitted with his daughter’s TV antics.
Back in June 2014 Michael tweeted ‘Going to bed. Can’t take the pain any longer’ after Uruguay beat England in a tense World Cup match.
But the emotional tweet resurfaced on Monday, with one fan quipping as they reposted the message: ‘Michael Owen at 9pm every night for the next 8 weeks,’
Drama: Tuesday’s episode saw Liam Llewellyn dumped by Gemma and left on his own when Monday’s bombshell contestant Davide coupled up with her
Gemma is the eldest of four children former England and Liverpool star Michael shares with wife Louise.
Last week Michael broke his silence over daughter Gemma’s appearance in the hit ITV2 show.
Speaking to ITV News, Michael, 42, said: ‘I have no doubts that she will make us all proud.
‘It’s probably a father’s worst nightmare, but whatever she wants to do you’ve got to be supportive.
‘I’ve heard a lot about it. I think old, grumpy men like me will always have an opinion on it because I don’t watch it and you just hear snippets, but she assures me it’s not as bad as I think.’
He described Gemma as a ‘sensible girl’, explaining: ‘It’s quite a big thing and whatever she wants to do, you have to be supportive and I think I’ve given her a decent enough grounding to be respectful’.
LOVE ISLAND 2022: MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Paige Thorne
Name: Paige Thorne
Age: 24
Location: Swansea
Occupation: Paramedic
Who is their type on paper? ‘In Swansea there is just no-one I can find.
I haven’t got to swipe. So, hopefully they can just come to me now!
‘I came out of a relationship and I was just so done with guys. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I’m bored now’
Indiyah Polack
Name: Indiyah Polack
Age: 23
Location: London
Occupation: Hotel waitress
Who is their type on paper? ‘It’s quite hard to date without being influenced by social media and stuff like that.
Love Island is a great place to get to know someone one-on-one.
I don’t think I have ever been out with two guys who are quite the same.’
Tasha Ghouri
Name: Tasha Ghouri
Age: 23
Location: Thirsk
Occupation: Model and dancer
Who is their type on paper? ‘My dating life has been a shambles.
This is an opportunity for me to find ‘the one’ and have a great summer at the same time.
I’m definitely ready for a relationship. I’m 23 now so I’m ready to get to know someone and travel with them.’
Gemma Owen
Name: Gemma Owen
Age: 19
Location: Chester
Occupation: International Dressage Rider and Business Owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘I am open to finding love, I’m wanting to have a really fun summer.
I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest.
If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.
Andrew Le Page
Name: Andrew Le Page
Age: 27
Location: Guernsey
Occupation: Real Estate Agent
Who is their type on paper? ‘When I’m with someone I’m very loyal.
I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.
I’m actually single for once, so I thought why not?
This is the best time to give it a go.’
Luca Bish
Name: Luca Bish
Age: 23
Location: Brighton
Occupation: Fishmonger
Who is their type on paper? ‘I prefer to meet girls out and about. I think when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy though, it’s like you’re too desperate for it.
If I think you’re the one or I like you, I’ll take you out on a date but other than that, if we talk and I don’t like where it’s going – then I won’t be throwing out dates.
Dami Hope
Name: Dami Hope
Age: 26
Location: Dublin
Occupation: Senior Microbiologist
Who is their type on paper? ‘I will be talking to different girls, it might not go well with some.
When I’m actually in a relationship, I think it’s a star sign thing.
I’m an Aries but I’m very passionate – I always used to put that person first. I’m really good at being in a team’.
Liam Llewellyn
Name: Liam Llewellyn
Age: 22
Location: Newport, South Wales
Occupation: Masters Student
Who is their type on paper? ’22 is a really nice age to meet someone, you’ve got your years ahead of you so you have time to grow together.
Love Island is a great opportunity to meet someone, you’re in with a load of different types so you can get to grips with what you really like.’
Davide Sanclimenti
Name: Davide Sanclimenti
Age: 27
Location: Rome (lives in Manchester)
Occupation: Business owner
Who is their type on paper? ‘A lot of English girls actually love me.
They love to be around me and I love to be around them. I want to find my soulmate.
Find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family. ‘
Ikenna Ekwonna
Name: Ikenna Ekwonna
Age: 23
Location: Nottingham
Occupation: Pharmaceutical Sales
Who is their type on paper? ‘I’ve only been in one past relationship but now I think I’m at the age where I could find someone.
Hopefully, I’m going to bring spontaneity and excitement.
I’m not really shy to speak to people I don’t really care too much about what people think.’
Amber Beckford
Name: Amber Beckford
Age: 24
Location: London
Occupation: Nanny
Who is their type on paper? ‘I don’t like guys that show off.
I don’t like flashy guys – just have a personality and make me laugh.
There was this one guy and he was trying to purposefully show off his car keys and we were literally in the middle of a restaurant!’
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