Gemma Owen has spoken out on her "challenging" break-up from her Love Island boyfriend Luca Bish.
Michael Owen's daughter, 19, announced her split from Luca, 23, last month – three months after leaving the ITV2 dating show's Majorcan villa.
Since her public announcement, which blindsided her former fishmonger ex, Gemma has been focussing on her blossoming career after collaborating with PrettyLittleThing and has kept tight-lipped about her feelings surrounding the
But, as she attended the fast fashion brand's Christmas party in Dublin, Ireland on Thursday evening, Gemma spoke out for the first time since her announcement.
Brunette beauty Gemma said her break-up from Brighton-based Luca has been "challenging".
She said: "These last few weeks, as going through any break up, it’s not nice. It’s not a nice time.”
"Having to deal with the press and other people’s opinions, and people thinking that they know what’s going on when they don’t, that’s been challenging," Gemma added to Goss.ie.
Gemma added that she was doing "OK" and is "getting through it" by ensuring she is busy.
However, Gemma has been supported by her Love Island co-star pals as she said her girl friends from the series have been "lovely".
She gushed: "Every single one of them has sent me a message, being there, telling me if I never need a call they’ll be there."
The reality star said the support from pals has made things "a bit easier" following the split.
One Islander who is supporting Gemma is Paige Thorne, as she recently told the Mirror: "I texted Gem to make sure she was all good, just showing her my support and letting her know that I was always there if she ever needed to chat."
She added: "Obviously, coming out of the relationship in the public eye is difficult enough anyway, so she knows I’m there if she needs me and she’ll reach out."
Meanwhile, Luca recently hung out with fellow former Love Islander Liam Llewellyn as he mocked the Welsh star over England knocking Wales out from the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
The pair posed together in matching grey jumpers in a video posted to Instagram. In the clip, Luca said: "It's coming home, isn't it?"
To which Liam replied: "Nah, never." In response, Luca then said: "How's Wales getting on?," to which Liam laughed.
Gemma announced her split from Liam in a statement posted to her Instagram story in mid-November.
It read: "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 but was bombarded with messages.
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."
