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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Ashleigh Rainbird & Jasmine Allday

Michael Owen 'trusts' daughter Gemma not to embarrass him on Love Island by having sex

Michael Owen wasn't "buzzing" over his daughter Gemma Owen's decision to go on Love Island - but trusts her not to embarrass him.

The 19-year-old international dressage rider and business owner has admitted her father - who is a former England footballer - wasn't that happy that she had decided to enter the ITV2 show, which starts next Monday June 6 at 9pm.

However, she insists her dad Michael was "pretty chilled" about it in the end and very supportive of her, as she revealed he gave her some tips on how to deal with the instant rise to fame that the show usually creates for its contestants.

Gemma Owen won't hide her dad's fame from the Islanders (Instagram/ @gemowen_1)

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."

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'."

Her and her dad are very close (themichaelowen/Instagram)

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."

And whilst her dad knows all about the highs - and lows - of fame, Gemma thinks she needs to work this out on her own. "I wouldn't say he's given me any advice, but he's given me a few tips," she added.

"It's just one of those things you need to experience for yourself and learn as you go through and make the mistakes. It's definitely quite handy to have someone who has experienced it before."

Gemma is also a dressage rider (Instagram/ @gemowen_1)

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

She shared: "I don't think I'm going to go in there and be like oh my dad was a footballer because I'm not really that type of person.

"I think if they ask me what your parents do, then I'm not going to keep it a secret. I'd be honest and say, but it's definitely not something I'm going to go in there and go bragging it about. I'll only address it if people ask me."

*Love Island starts at 9pm Monday 6th June on ITV2 and ITV Hub. Episodes are available the following morning on BritBox.

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