Michael Owen is looking increasingly likely to reunite with daughter Gemma on Love Island as part of this year's 'Meet the Parents' episode at the end of the month.
The former Liverpool and England hero is tipped to fly out to Mallorca after his employer, BT Sport - for whom he is a pundit - gave him the all clear to jet off for some reality show fun due to a lack of football fixtures that weekend.
Father-of-four Michael famously described Gemma's appearance on the hit ITV show as 'every father's worst nightmare' prior to her entry into the villa.
The 42-year old will get the chance to drill Luca Bish, 23, who Gemma is currently coupled up with on the hit ITV2 reality romance show.
A source told the The Sun: "The end of July looks to be a golden opportunity for Michael to see Gemma.
"He's notoriously private and anything could change between now and finals week but, all things considered, the odds on him taking part are better than ever."
Fans of the show took to Twitter on Friday night, meanwhile, joking that Luca won't do anything to risk his relationship with Gemma, 19, as he is desperate to meet Michael.
One user wrote: "Luca loves any drama he's not involved in. He wants to meet Michael Owen with his £25k ready."
Another declared: "Luca shining them pearly whites. Gemma needs to run as fast as she can, the man is controlling the way he got so jealous when she was talking to Billy. He's defo holding on so he can secure that win and meet Michael Owen."
A third said: "Luca saw his Michael Owen link up flash before his eyes."
Earlier this week, meanwhile, it was reported that Michael was "barely watching" the programme due to being "anxious" over how Gemma might behave.
A source told the Daily Mail : "Michael has barely watched the show as he has been quite busy over the past few weeks." He however is said to have been kept updated.
They added that his wife Louise Owen "keeps him up to date" though, with the source adding that he has told her not to mention any of the "bad stuff" from the show.
The source said he will be "relieved" when Gemma has returned home, though they stated that he is "massively proud" of her and knows that she is a "sensible" person.
Mirror Online has invited Love Island to comment.
Love Island airs every night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITV Hub.
