Michael Owen may have thought escaping the country for work would get him away from his daughter's Love Island debut - but he was wrong. The former Liverpool and Manchester United footballer jetted off to Germany as England faced their second UEFA Nations League game.
He joined the punditry line-up for the Channel 4 coverage all while his 19-year-old daughter, Gemma Owen, continued to cause a stir in the Spanish villa where she found her head being turned on the first day by Manchester's Italian heartthrob, Davide Sanclimenti.
As Michael took his seat ready to discuss England's latest head-to-head with Germany following their historic Euros win over them last summer, the 42-year-old was left cringing after talk soon turned to his daughter's Love Island antics.
READ MORE: Former ITV Love Island winner brands viewers 'bozos' over unpopular change to show
At the beginning of the Nations League fixture, presenter Jules Breach introduced the sports star by saying: "Joining me hoping to see another famous win for England tonight in Munich, England and Arsenal midfield Jordan Nobbs, former England, West Ham and Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole and the father of Love Island’s Gemma Owen, Michael Owen here with us."
She then went on: "A big night for the Owens last night, Michael, how are you feeling today?" The former England ace was visibly uncomfortable by the mere mention as he put his hands over his face.
He then replied: "Jules, I came all the way to Germany to try and avoid all that back at home, but you've brought it up straight away," as he fellow pundits and the host laughed. He went on: "I am feeling alright thank you. This is taking my mind off it so don’t bring it back up."
But had had no mercy from viewers who flocked to Twitter to comment. @Pdiddzyy tweeted: "Michael Owen being a pundit to avoid watching Gemma on love Island lmao." @Tenhags echoed: "Michael Owen being a pundit so he doesn’t have to watch Gemma tonight. #LoveIsland."
@danlawless97 commented: "Michael Owen definitely asked to be a pundit tonight so he don’t have to see his daughter getting off with a 27 year old." @ChelseyMorgan98 said: "Imagine Michael Owen’s come on as a pundit and the first thing they mention is love island how embarrassing." @TomRTM added: "The only thing more annoying than watching Michael Owen trying to be a pundit is watching his daughter in Love Island."
Gemma has been getting viewers talking since make her debut in the Love Island villa on Monday night (June 6). She quickly became part of a love triangle as her head was turned by the first bombshell arrival, aka Davide. And at the end of the second episode on Tuesday night (June 7), the 27-year-old business owner, originally from Rome but now living in Manchester, decided to couple up with Gemma.
That meant he split up her up from Liam Llewellyn, a 22-year-old student from Newport, meaning he is now single and needs to find a new partner within days to avoid being dumped from the villa in the first recoupling of the series. But the new partnership between Gemma and Davide has triggered viewers with many commenting on the age gap between the two.
However, things could all change as the latest twist was announced at the end of the episode. Two new girls, Afia Tonkmor and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, are ready to shake-up the villa as they become the next two bombshells to make their way onto the ITV2 dating show.
