Gemma Owen is a 23-year-old British reality TV star from Chester, England, best known for finishing as the runner-up on Love Island UK in 2022. Born Gemma Owen on May 1, 2003, she entered the villa on Day 1 and reached the final alongside Luca Bish, becoming one of the most talked-about Islanders of the series.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Gemma Owen |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 2003 |
| Birthplace | Chester, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Occupation | Reality TV Star |
| Known For | Love Island UK 2022 runner-up |
Who Is Gemma Owen?
Gemma Owen is a British reality television personality, dressage rider and businesswoman who rose to fame on the eighth series of Love Island UK in the summer of 2022. She is the daughter of former England footballer Michael Owen and his wife Louise Bonsall, and she arrived in the villa already well known to the public. Despite that profile, Gemma quickly won viewers over with her calm, grounded personality, and she reached the final with Luca Bish, finishing second behind winners Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti.
Before Love Island, Gemma had already built a life away from the spotlight. She competed as an international dressage rider, representing Britain in the sport, and ran her own swimwear label. Her time on the show made her one of the biggest names of the series, and she has remained a regular figure in reality television since, returning to the franchise in 2025 as a bombshell on Love Island: All Stars.
Early Life & Background
Gemma Owen was born on May 1, 2003, in Chester, England, the eldest child of former Liverpool, Real Madrid and England striker Michael Owen and Louise Bonsall. She grew up in a sporting household in Cheshire, and from a young age she was drawn to horses rather than football. She became a serious dressage rider, competing internationally for Britain, and spent much of her teenage years training and travelling to competitions.
Alongside her riding, Gemma launched her own swimwear business before she turned twenty, showing an entrepreneurial streak that set her apart from many of her fellow Islanders. She has often spoken about wanting to be known for her own achievements rather than simply as Michael Owen’s daughter, and her success in dressage and business gave her a career of her own long before she entered the Love Island villa.
Career
Gemma Owen entered the Love Island villa on Day 1 of series 8 in June 2022. She coupled up with Luca Bish early in the series, and the pair stayed together for the entire run, surviving recouplings, Casa Amor and the usual villa dramas to reach the final. Their relationship was one of the defining stories of the summer, and on August 1, 2022, Gemma and Luca finished as runners-up, behind Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti, with Indiyah Polack and Dami Hope in third place and Tasha Ghouri and Andrew Le Page in fourth.
After the show, Gemma moved into influencing and media work, building a large social media following and working with fashion and beauty brands. She and Luca split in November 2022, around three months after the final, with both saying the relationship had run its course. Gemma continued to work as a social media personality and businesswoman, and in January 2025 she returned to the Love Island franchise as a bombshell on the second series of Love Island: All Stars, reuniting in the villa with Luca Bish and several other familiar faces from series 8.
Gemma has also kept up her equestrian career alongside her television work, and she remains one of the most recognisable faces from Love Island series 8. Her journey from international dressage rider to reality TV star has made her a distinctive figure in British celebrity culture.
Facts About Gemma Owen
- Gemma Owen is the daughter of former England footballer Michael Owen and his wife Louise Bonsall.
- Before Love Island, she competed as an international dressage rider, representing Britain in the sport.
- She ran her own swimwear label before appearing on the show.
- Gemma entered the Love Island villa on Day 1 of series 8 in 2022 and finished as runner-up alongside Luca Bish.
- In January 2025, she returned to the franchise as a bombshell on the second series of Love Island: All Stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Gemma Owen?
Gemma Owen is 23 years old. She was born on May 1, 2003, in Chester, England.
How tall is Gemma Owen?
Gemma Owen is 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall.
Who are Gemma Owen’s parents?
Gemma Owen’s parents are former England footballer Michael Owen and his wife Louise Bonsall.
What did Gemma Owen do before Love Island?
Before Love Island, Gemma Owen was an international dressage rider who competed for Britain, and she ran her own swimwear label.
Are Gemma Owen and Luca Bish still together?
No. Gemma Owen and Luca Bish split in November 2022, around three months after the Love Island final. They later both appeared on Love Island: All Stars in 2025.
How old is Gemma Owen?
Gemma Owen is 23 years old. She was born on May 1, 2003, in Chester, England.
How tall is Gemma Owen?
Gemma Owen is 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall.
Who are Gemma Owen’s parents?
Gemma Owen’s parents are former England footballer Michael Owen and his wife Louise Bonsall.
What did Gemma Owen do before Love Island?
Before Love Island, Gemma Owen was an international dressage rider who competed for Britain, and she ran her own swimwear label.
Are Gemma Owen and Luca Bish still together?
No. Gemma Owen and Luca Bish split in November 2022, around three months after the Love Island final. They later both appeared on Love Island: All Stars in 2025.
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