Love Island’s Luca Bish has seen his family defend the reality star from ITV2 viewers accusing him of ‘controlling’ Gemma Owen.
This comes after he indicated to friend Jacques O’Neill that he has “fallen” for Michael Owen's daughter on Monday’s instalment of the show.
He even told Gemma he was "obsessed" with her during a heated chat, promising that his head would never turn from her if somebody else walked into the villa – even if it were Kim Kardashian.
However, ITV2 viewers have been left concerned for the 19-year-old after several highlighted Luca’s ‘red flag’ behaviour towards Gemma at various points so far this season.
Taking to Twitter, one fan wrote: “Could you imagine how jealous and controlling Luca would be outside the Villa when Gemma is under 24/7 CCTV.”
“Luca’s obsession with Gemma is honestly terrifying. Everything about him is a red flag. He negs, he’s insecure, his jealousy is scary and he’s always lurking,” another fan posted.
However, the Brighton fishmonger’s family have now swept to his defence on social media after with a statement posted to his Instagram account.
The caption to the smiling shot of Luca read: “Could not be more proud of our boy if we tried.
“Such a huge shame to see the stigma surrounding men being transparent with their emotions.. he’s expressed how into Gemma he is, and it’s taken as controlling?
“He’s THE funniest and most caring kid we know and we will forever be proud at how much he’s wearing his heart on his sleeve.
“He promised us he’d be his beautiful self and play no game, and he’s sticking to his word. You are making your family so proud our Luca. Thank you for all of the lovely messages #LEMMA.”
This comes as Gemma and Luca became embroiled in Love Island drama on Monday, when Gemma insinuated she could be open to getting to know another boy in the villa if they had a better connection.
In the villa kitchen, Luca twigged something was unfolding, but when he approached Gemma and asked what the drama was over and whether it was related to him, she brushed him off in search of Ekin-Su.
Jacques finally broke the news to Luca beside the firepit, leaving him looking downcast in the Beach Hut as he said: “Little things like this, if she has said that, will play on my mind.
“But apparently she might not have said it. I'm annoyed because she hasn't even had a chat with me about it and I'm the one person it's going to affect and hurt.”
