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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Love Island's Jacques O'Neill broke up with Gemma Owen to 'focus on rugby career'

Love Island contestant Jacques O'Neill reportedly broke up with ex-girlfriend Gemma Owen to 'focus on his rugby career'.

Jacques entered the Mallorcan villa earlier this month as a bombshell, much to the shock of Gemma and the other contestants.

Horse rider Gemma and rugby player Jacques dated for around a year before calling it quits.

The 19-year-old girl's father Michael Owen was also said to have met him and built up a good relationship with him.

However, things clearly didn't work out and the two bumped into each other again in the ITV2 villa.

According to Jacques's friend, the sports star was 'focused on his rugby career' and moved too far away.

Jacques reportedly wanted to focus on his career (ITV)

The insider told The Sun : "Even though he was in a relationship with Gemma, he didn't want to let that stop him from taking the chance to play for Leeds.

"He moved two hours away from where she lives in Cheshire. Things between them went downhill pretty quickly while trying long-distance. They didn't last long after that."

The pal added that Jacques wouldn't get back together with his ex-girlfriend as his rugby friends would 'give him too much stick'.

Mirror have contacted Love Island for comment.

Gemma was previously coupled up with Luca (ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, Gemma was previously coupled up with fishmonger Luca Bish on the dating show.

New bombshell Danica Taylor came in and swiped him away from the daughter of Michael Owen.

However, fans are convinced Gemma could have her head turned on the show after she shared a flirty chat with Jay Younger.

She was sat on the sun lounger chatting to the investment analyst during Tuesday night’s episode and he floated the idea of exploring his options.

Jay asked Gemma whether any of the other contestants would be open to “getting to know” him, if he weren’t coupled up with Ekin-Su Cülcüloglu.

Gemma and Jacques met each other again following their breakup in the villa (ITV)

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Gemma then smirked coyly and replied: “I don't know,” leaving fans certain she thought Jay was referring to herself.

Jay replied: “Don't tell me what I want to hear. Just tell me what you think, because I have a feeling.”

Gemmed replied: “What feeling do you have?” and the pair giggled as Jay replied: “No, ladies first. I asked you first.”

Gemma teased: “You're just trying to get information out of me. Who do you think would?”

The equestrian dancer then seemed less enthusiastic as he turned to Paige Thorne and said he was interested in her.

The moment left several viewers in stitches as it seemed Gemma had mistaken Jay’s line of questioning for flirtation.

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