Michael Owen admits daughter Gemma going on Love Island is 'father's worst nightmare'

Michael Owen has broken his silence on his daughter Gemma, 19, signing up to Love Island, joking it's a "father's worst nightmare".

Earlier this week, Gemma was announced as one of the original islanders set to be heading into the villa for the 2022 series, set to launch next Monday.

And speaking for the first time since the reveal, Michael, 42, said he hasn't ever seen the show but his "sensible" dressage rider daughter has assured him "it's not as bad as you think".

Michael said on ITV News on Thursday: "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.

Michael Owen has broken his silence on his daughter Gemma, 19, signing up to Love Island (ITV News)

Earlier this week, Gemma was announced as one of the original islanders (Instagram)

"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 added: "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".

It comes after international dressage rider and business owner Gemma admitted her footballer father wasn't that happy that she had decided to enter the ITV2 dating show.

The former footballer joked on ITV News on Thursday it's a "father's worst nightmare" (ITV News)

Gemma is among the 11 islanders heading into the villa (ITV)

The dressage rider said she isn't going to brag about her famous dad (Instagram)

Speaking to The Mirror and other press, she said: "I still wouldn't say he was buzzing about the fact, but he is very supportive in whatever I decide to do so he didn't have a massive tantrum or anything like that. He was pretty chilled.

Also speaking of mum Louise, she said: "They trust me not to do anything to embarrass them, so I don't think I would have sex in the villa."

The new series of Love Island will kick off on ITV2 at 9pm on Monday (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Gemma further commented: "[My dad] said, 'You know how to behave. You just go and do it'. My mum's bit of advice was, 'Gem, remember to keep it classy'."

Michael is said to have previously warned her to stay away from footballers and although his advice has made her "wary" about dating them, she thinks he would be secretly be pleased if she brought a player home.

She said: "I'm sure if I did get with a footballer he'd be quite happy because he'd have something in common with them. I don't think he'd be annoyed."

Gemma says she won't be hiding her famous family from her fellow Islanders, but she insists she won't be bragging about it.