Friends of Gemma Owen and Luca Bish believe they saw signs that the couple were "on the rocks" months before their well-documented split on Wednesday.
Luca, 23, and Gemma, 19, finished as runners-up on the hit ITV2 dating show and were the last of the finalists to become an official item when the former fishmonger went to huge lengths to ask her to be his girlfriend with a romantic gesture on August 29.
The couple looked smitten when they left the Spanish villa as Gemma looked to grow her business OG Beachwear - which she wore on the show - as well as signing a lucrative six-figure deal with fashion retailer PrettyLittleThing.
But their relationship seemed strained when Luca made two public appearances at the TV Choice Awards and ITV Palooza without the international dressage rider on Monday and Tuesday before the couple announced their split the following day (November 16).
It appears there were doubts about the pair's compatibility when neither of them supported fellow Love Island co-star Indiyah Polack 's launch party with PrettyLittleThing, with particular focus on Gemma as she is an ambassador for the fashion brand.
A source told The Sun : "Pals thought they were on the rocks a few months ago when they didn’t come to a reunion bash.
"It was awkward as Dami and Indiyah had already expressed doubts over Gemma and Luca’s relationship on the outside.
"Most of the cast were there ready to celebrate, but they thought something was up with Gemma and Luca for not coming."
Paige Thorne also hinted that everything was not as it seemed between the pair during an appearance on the Saving Grace podcast.
When she was asked by the host Grace: "Who is the fakest couple?" Paige replied: "All I'm going to say on this right, there are how many couples left... there are three couples. But really, there are only two – but that's a secret I'll never tell."
The four couples included Gemma and Luca, Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page, Dami Hope and Indiyah Polack and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti.
On Wednesday, Gemma took to Instagram to tell fans about the split less than three months after finishing behind Ekin-Su and Davide for the Love Island crown.
She said in a statement: "To all my followers, I wanted to let you know that Luca and I are no longer in a relationship.
"It wasn't an easy decision but ultimately this is what is best for both of us right now.
"Many of you have been on this journey with us from the very beginning, and I wanted to thank you for your continued support as we start new chapters."
In a statement shared with The Mirror, Luca revealed that he would have liked to have had time to process the split.
He told us: "I would have liked some time to process this privately but as you all already now know sadly Gemma and I made the mutual decision earlier today to go our separate ways.
"We have been on such a journey together and have made some amazing memories which I will treasure. I can’t thank everyone enough for their support for us as a couple during and after Love Island."
The Mirror have contacted Luca's representatives for comment.
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