Love Island stars Gemma Owen and Luca Bish have announced they have split up after just three months together.
The reality show’s runners-up revealed they had decided to go their “separate ways” following rumours earlier this week when they failed to show up to ITV’s Palooza event together.
Owen, the daughter of former footballer Michael Owen, told her followers she was not at the event due to a prior commitment, which was echoed by Bish on the red carpet.
On Wednesday evening, the 19-year-old announced their split on Instagram, writing: “I wanted to let you know that Luca and I are no longer in a relationship.
“It wasn’t an easy decision but ultimately this is what is best for us both right now.
“Many of you have been on this journey with us from the very beginning and I want to thank you for your continued support as we start new chapters.”
Bish shared his last photo of them as a couple on firework night, with the 23-year-old captioning it “experiencing another first with you”.
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‘Mutual decision to go our separate ways’
On his Instagram, the former fishmonger announced the split with the caveat that he “would have liked some time to process this [the break-up] privately”.
“Switched my phone back on after taking some time out to clear my head after an emotional afternoon to thousands of messages about my breakup,” he wrote.
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“As you all already know, sadly, Gemma and I made the mutual decision earlier today to go our separate ways.
“We have been on such a journey together and have made some amazing memories… we will remain good friends and I wish nothing but the best for her.”
While the pair did not make their relationship official in the villa, they were one of the most serious couples in the series, remaining faithful to each other through Casa Amor and reuniting even after being coupled up with other contestants.
After leaving the villa in Majorca, Bish asked Owen to be his girlfriend during a lavish proposal in August.
They missed out on winning the £50,000 prize after coming second to Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti on the eighth series of the show.
