Chris Hughes has defended Love Island star Gemma Owen after she has faced criticism online for being "picky".
The 19 year old caused a stir when she said she didn't like Luca Bish's surname and that her former partner, Liam Llewellyn, wasn't her type.
But 29 year old Chris, who finished in third place on the 2017 series of the hit ITV dating show, has now hit back at Michael Owen's daughter's critics in an exclusive chat with OK!.
He said: "I think it's too early to have favourites but I will say I've seen the criticism towards Gemma. I think fair play to her, she is young but she knows what she wants.
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"I think people forget that when you're going on to Love Island, you're there to find love. If she doesn't like a surname, if she doesn't like somebody looks or they're not her natural type then fair enough.
"She's there to find love, that's the basis of the show. You're an individual and not everybody is going to like the same things that you like."
Gemma, who is currently coupled up with Italian Davide Sanclimenti, shocked viewers on Thursday night when she turned her attention to Luca.
During their chat, Gemma admitted: "I am attracted to you, I definitely would want to get to know you."
To which Luca, who is currently partnered up with Paige Thorne and has been getting to know Tasha Ghouri, replied: "You stare into my eyes and I just want to stare into yours!"
Chris spoke to OK! about his inclusion in the 150th Open Championship Claret Jug Tour, which sees the golf championship trophy travel across the UK and Ireland in the run up to this year's Open Championship.
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Chris told us: "Golf is a massive passion of mine, I'm a Cobra and Puma golf ambassador. I play every week and I've got involved in this because I've done some work with the Sky Sports Golf Challenge Tour and it's just a great opportunity for me to portray this tour.
"It's the 150th Open Championship in a couple of weeks and that is going to be historical with Tiger Woods back at St Andrews.
"This tour is in partnership with HSBC and is going to go to schools, golf clubs, city centres, HSBC branches and it lets people get up close and personal to the prized possession in the golf world.
"In sport, this is one of the most iconic trophies and for it to be able to do this tour is great for kids to see and to inspire them. Golf is a niche sport and it's so important to keep inspiring the younger generation because they're going to be the next stars."
Chris Hughes is supporting The 150th Open Claret Jug Tour, in partnership with HSBC UK, visiting schools, golf clubs, city centres and HSBC branches as it makes its way across the UK and Ireland, ending at St Andrews for The Open in July.
For more information about The 150th Open Claret Jug Tour visit TheOpen.com and follow @TheOpen and @HSBC_UK on social media.
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