Gemma Owen claimed to be hit with instant guilt over a brutal 'snub' she delivered in the opening episode of this year's Love Island.
When the identities of the Love Island 2022 contestants were revealed at the start of last week, Gemma's was the name that raised more than a few eyebrows, given that she is the daughter of football star Michael Owen. Gemma is a sporting star in her own right, as an international dressage rider and, prior to her making her entrance in the Love Island villa, the 19-year-old admit that being competitive was "in her blood."
In a big change to Love Island tradition, the coupling up that takes place at the start of the Islanders time on the show was taken out their hands. Instead of the girls stepping forward to declare an interest in the boys as they walked in, host Laura Whitmore revealed that the public had already chosen for them.
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The vote put Gemma with Welsh masters student Liam Llewelyn, with eagle-eyed viewers spotting that the teenager looked far from enamoured with the 22-year-old as he gave her a hug. As the first episode of the new series went on, Gemma confessed to the other girls that she wasn't that attracted to Liam and then her head was well and truly turned by Love Island late arrival Davide.
And Gemma made Liam feel very awkward during the first drinking game on night one when firstly she made it clear to him not to even bother asking her for a lap dance, before shunning him to kiss Davide when she was asked to kiss the boy she found most attractive.
As viewers at home felt for Liam, Gemma expressed her guilt at the snub and, speaking in the Beach Hut, she said: "Davide is the guy I'm most attracted to but, yeah I did feel a bit guilty when I did that and I was like 'oh that's screwed him over a bit. Hopefully he doesn't hate me."
Viewers were torn on who they sided with, with one tweeting: "I don't like how Gemma is laying it on thick with Davide in front of Liam. Rubbing it in his face you could say. When 1. She barely knows him and hasn't spoke to him yet 2. He's 8 years older then her. She should of spoke to him first about it."
Another reacted: "it's very early days but I'm backing Liam and I want him to do well. Gemma has made a very bad impression from the off and is taking Liam for a mug. I wish she was more open with him and gave him a chance."
However, others appealed for Gemma to be given more of a chance, with one more diplomatic fan posting: "why y’all treating gemma like the devil for not kissing liam."
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