Michael Owen has revealed he won’t take part in the Meet The Parents segment on Love Island, if daughter Gemma Owen makes it to that stage.
The former footballer, 42, was rumoured to be entering the Love Island villa in order to reunite with Gemma, 19, who is currently coupled up with Luca Bish, 23.
The pair have been going from strength to strength and are seen by many viewers as the most solid couple remaining in the series.
Unsurprisingly, fans have been desperate to know whether this meant there could be a trip for Majorca on the cards for sporting legend Michael.
However, he’s now confirmed he will not be making an appearance, with the teen’s mum Louise Owen preparing to rep the family instead.
Speaking to Sky Sports At The Races after watching his horse Box To Box run, Michael said: ‘My wife will do that duty. I’ll represent the horses and she’ll represent the daughter.’
He went on: ‘I don’t know what I’ll get from Box To Box. But I know what I’m going to get from my daughter.
‘I’ve fathered her for 19 years so I’m pretty sure what I’m going to get from her,’ he joked.
The Sun previously reported that Michael’s employer, BT Sport, wouldn’t need the former striker at the end of July due to the lack of football fixtures on the calendar.
This is around the time the episode is usually shot, so it could be a golden opportunity to get Michael in the villa.
An insider shared: ‘The end of July looks to be a golden opportunity for Michael to see Gemma.
‘He’s notoriously private and anything could change between now and finals week but, all things considered, the odds on him taking part are better than ever,’ a source added to the publication.’
So viewers will be disappointed to hear they won’t get the chance to see Michael stepping into the famous villa.
It comes after dumped Casa Amor islander Samuel Agbiji claimed Gemma took a bit of a shine to Billy Brown, in unaired scenes, while chatting about his experience on the Love Island: The Morning After podcast.
At one point, Samuel – who failed to find a connection in Casa Amor – said: ‘When we first came into the Casa Amor villa, Billy told us, like two days in – but I feel like he misread it – he told us that Gemma literally walked up to him – because obviously they knew each other prior – and she made it known to all of us eventually.
‘But she walked up to him and said, “You know you can pull me for a chat if you want to.”’
Will Gemma and Luca manage to last the distance, or could her head still be turned?
Love Island continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2.