Laura Whitmore says her dad was so pleased she got a pic with Michael Owen he used it as a screensaver on his phone for a year.
The Love Island host, 37, made the revelation on Radio 1's Breakfast Show with Greg James.
Speaking about Michael's daughter Gemma going on the show, the Irish star said she'd met the 19-year-old's famous dad years ago at an MTV bash.
"Years ago, one of my first jobs ever for MTV was the MTV Awards in Liverpool and I met Michael Owen," she explained.
"I had a picture with him and that was my dad's screensaver on his phone for a year so he's really interested this year in Love Island."
Greg suggested that Michael was an "interesting character", stating he'd only watched three films in his life and never had a cup of tea.
"I did not know that," Laura replied, joking that as an "Irish person who loves tea" she wasn't sure she'd get on with the former Liverpool player.
The eagerly-awaited series kicks off tonight and dressage rider Gemma is going to be one to watch.
The brunette beauty has a huge social media following and reckons she'd like to follow in the footsteps of 'billionaire baby' Kylie Jenner.
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: "“I really like the Kardashians, I watch them on telly and I follow them on social media.
“I think they are all good, powerful business women, what they have made for themselves is really inspiring, I’m a massive fan. Who wouldn’t like to be a billionaire like Kylie?”
On Friday Michael told the Mirror his daughter signing up for the titillating TV show is “probably a father’s worst nightmare”.
But he says he and wife Louise are backing their daughter 100%.
He said: “I have no doubts that she will make us all proud. It’s probably a father’s worst nightmare, but whatever she wants to do you’ve got to be supportive.
"I think old, grumpy men like me will always have an opinion on it because I don’t watch it and you just hear the snippets. But she assures me it’s not as bad as I think."
While he may not be putting the kettle on, Michael will no doubt be watching his girl as she makes her debut in the villa tonight.
We can't wait!
Love Island kicks off on ITV2 at 9pm on Monday
