Stardom runs through the veins of the global dating game show Love Island.
Former celebrity contests include the likes of Tommy Fury, Dani Dyer, Sophie Piper, Strictly Come Dancing star Curtis Prichard, footballer Mike Boateng and many more. This year’s competitor with links to the great and the good is Gemma Owen, daughter of one-time Liverpool striker Michael Owen.
The 19-year-old has consistently polled as this year’s most popular Islander. And at the time of writing she is 6/1 to win the show outright with her partner Luca, according to BetFair.
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But other than her famous father and chances of being crowned this year's champion of Love Island, what else do we know about Gemma and her family? The teenager is the oldest of Michael Owen’s four children with childhood sweetheart Louise Bonsall.
The family of six live in a £4m mansion in Chester which sits on land the size of 21 football pitches. As well as a former footballer for the Reds, Michael has played for Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City.
Owen also clocked up 89 appearances for England and scored 40 goals for his country. Gemma has three young sisters called James Owen, 16, Emily Owen, 14, and Jessica Owen, 12.
Her oldest brother, James, was diagnosed as clinically blind in 2019 and is reported to suffer from Stargardt disease - a rare illness which affects one in 8,000 people. Michael spoke about his condition to The Times and expressed his sadness at the fact that he will never play football at a professional level.
He said: “He will never be a footballer. My son’s got an eye condition. I’ve never said this. I don’t want a big headline. Clinically, he’s blind. He’s got Stargardt disease, a degeneration of his retina.
Emily is a keen sportswoman and has been successful at a county and national level. Michael posted a picture on Instagram listing her recent achievements, which included becoming 60m indoor champion and 100m winner at a county level, as well as coming third in the English girls under 15s 100m race.
Jessica, who has rarely been documented on social media, seems to be following in the footsteps of her eldest sister. Jessica like Gemma is a keen horse rider and was pictured by Michael riding one with the caption: “While the eldest is away, my youngest is progressing well on her pride and joy, Jigsaw. Well done @jess_0wen." He followed the text with an in-love emoji.
Gemma's mum Louise Bosnall has been married to Michael since 2005. The two of them met in 1984 at Hawarden High School in Flintshire, Wales.
The 42-year-old is an enthusiastic equestrian and co-founded Manor House Stables in 2006, according to the Metro.
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