The runners-up called time on their romance last week – and failed to join their ITV co-stars at the channel’s glitzy Palozza on Tuesday night. Gemma then confirmed their split in a statement shared on her Instagram stories on Wednesday afternoon, saying it “wasn’t an easy decision”. It’s over: Gemma Owen and Luca Bish have split – three months after missing out on being crowned Love Island winners, MailOnline can reveal (pictured in October) They were last pictured together on November 5 celebrating fireworks night, with Luca, 23, marking ‘another first’ with Gemma, 19, who is the daughter of footballer Michael Owen. On Monday, Luca also attended the TV Choice Awards 2022 in London without Gemma as she appeared to have skipped the event. A source close to the couple told MailOnline on Wednesday: ‘Gemma and Luca have decided to part ways. “Their relationship has not worked out in recent weeks and they have come to the conclusion that it is best for both of them to end things now. “They hope to remain friends and continue to support each other in whatever they do in the future. They were last pictured together on November 5 celebrating fireworks night, with Luca marking ‘another first’ with Gemma, who is the daughter of footballer Michael Owen. Split: Gemma announced their split in a statement shared on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday afternoon, saying it was ‘not an easy decision’ “Love Island was a special time in their lives, but unfortunately their romance wasn’t the same outside the villa.” Announcing the split on her Instagram, Gemma wrote: “To all my followers, I wanted to let you know that Luca and I are no longer in a relationship. It wasn’t an easy decision, but in the end it’s what’s best for both of us right now. “Many of you have been on this journey with us from the beginning and I want to thank you for your continued support as we embark on new chapters. Love always, Gem x.’ The couple recently vacationed together in Dubai, where cracks began to show in their relationship. Solo: On Monday, Luca attended the TV Choice Awards 2022 in London without Gemma as she appeared to skip the event Luca asked Gemma to be his girlfriend at the end of August, spoiling the PrettyLittleThing ambassador with a £6,000 Cartier bracelet, a display of red roses and a romantic candlelit scene that many fans likened to a marriage proposal. Unlike their co-stars, Gemma and Luca waited until after the series ended to make their relationship official. Gemma told Luca it was important for him to have the approval of her parents, including mum Louise – with the fishmonger later joining them on a family holiday in Portugal. Luca had flown to the Algarve to meet Michael Owen, saying he would ask Gemma to be his girlfriend after meeting her ex-footballer father. Lavish: Luca asked Gemma to be his girlfriend in August, presenting her with a £6,000 Cartier bracelet, a display of red roses and a romantic candlelit scene which fans likened to a proposal The pair met during the summer series of Love Island 2022 and struck up a romance, staying true to each other during Casa Amor and making it all the way to the final. However, they missed out on the £50,000 pot after coming second to Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti, who won this summer’s Love Island in a landslide. Viewers questioned Luca’s behavior during the ITV2 series and accused him of gaslighting after his possessive treatment of Gemma. He was also branded a ‘bully’ for being rude to his deaf co-star Tasha Ghouri, who was left in tears after she claimed he was faking her feelings for her boyfriend Andrew Le Page. Romance: Luca escorted her to a pool with red balloons floating in the water that read ‘be my girlfriend’ Gemma and Luca were not initially matched by the public upon their arrival on the ITV2 dating show, but quickly struck up a romance, with the pair deciding to take things further in the second reunion. Despite Gemma’s ex-boyfriend Jacques O’Neill entering the villa and causing a row between the pair, their relationship remained strong and Luca continued to befriend the rugby player. During the second week of the show, Danica Taylor stole Luca from Gemma, but the pair quickly reunited and then remained loyal to each other at Casa Amor. After the second villa bomb, the pair said they were in love for the first time, with Luca gushing: ‘I’ve never been so sure to say anything because I haven’t seen a future with someone like I have with you. and i, uh, i think i’m in love with you. Nah, I’m in love with you.” Romance: The international dressage rider, 19, shared a number of favorite snaps from the night and captioned it: ‘Finally official. Thank you Luca Bish for a special evening” To which Gemma quickly replied: “I love you too!” The pair’s romance hit the rocks during the movie night, with Luca accusing Gemma of flirting with Billy and the pair then having a heated row before patching things up. He was furious at the time: “If you want to flirt, then I will flirt, put a bomb in here now!” before adding, “I can’t be with someone like that, I’m sorry.” His reaction led to his family taking to Instagram Stories on his account to say they did not condone his behavior towards his partner Gemma, but the pair quickly made up. Fans at the time also called for Gemma to end her relationship after Luca blasted her for ‘flirting’ with bobo Billy. Family: Gemma told Luca it was important for him to have the approval of her parents, including mum Louise – with the fishmonger later accompanying them on a family holiday to Portugal They had another row after the kilometer challenge, with Luca throwing a storm and pulling out his microphone when Gemma licked co-star Adam Collard in the mission. Luca pushed Gemma off him and she later confronted him, saying: “Luca, don’t play it big. You were kicking me out, you had a slapped face, are you 12?” Although they didn’t come to an agreement, they both agreed to walk away from the fight and later bonded as they became “parents” to the baby challenge. The couple then enjoyed a very romantic final date on Love Island, where they were treated to a six-piece ensemble in a picturesque courtyard. Romance: The pair met during the summer series of Love Island 2022 and struck up a romance, staying true to each other during Casa Amor and making it all the way to the final Discussing their future, Luca said he didn’t think they would face “huge challenges” abroad and the pair went through to the final, taking second place. Since leaving the villa, Luca has opened up about being accused of controlling and misogynistic behavior on the show, sharing that he had apologized to Gemma since leaving. Speaking to Grazia magazine she said: “She’s a strong woman so she would never let herself be put in a situation like that. There are places where I think I don’t act like that in the outside world. Why did I do this?’ Lines: Since leaving the villa, Luca has opened up about being accused of controlling and misogynistic behavior on the show, sharing that he had apologized to Gemma since leaving Luca, who finished in second place with Gemma, went on to say in the post: ‘When you feel so strongly about someone and then you’re still in situations because [producers] they’re forcing us to do challenges, throwing new people in there to play with your emotions and your feelings – I’ve honestly had enough of it.” After leaving Love Island, Luca also shared his desire to move home to Chester to be close to his girlfriend. Luca, who is originally from Brighton, told how she has been looking to rent somewhere in the celebrity hot spot but won’t be moving into her family’s estate. He said at the time: “There is no middle ground – it’s Chester or nothing!” Scenes: On the show, Luca was left seething after watching Gemma chat with Billy Brown during Casa Amor, prompting him to question the strength of their relationship “I’m happy to go where he wants me to go. I don’t have many commitments at home, so it’s easier for me to move. Whatever makes us happy and whatever is right we will do. I hope if I move close to her, in time we will find a place together.’ He added: “I will love being around her family. Hearing stories about her barbecues and stuff, I’m really excited and I feel like I’ll fit right in.” Earlier this month, Luca also revealed he didn’t go on Love Island to find romance, despite walking away with Gemma. The former fishmonger made the surprise revelation while attending the 2022 TV Choice Awards at the London Hilton Park Lane, admitting he was just hoping for “a good summer and a good time”. Fuming: Fans at the time called for Gemma to end her relationship after Luca blasted her for ‘flirting’ with bobo Billy Making a solo appearance without his girlfriend, Luca told On Demand Entertainment: “You’re naive to go in there to think you’re going to find love. It’s called Love Island, but I never went in there thinking I was going to meet Gemma. “I’d be a liar if I said that. I went there for a good summer and to have fun and above all I have met a girl from whom I could not ask for more. “Me and Gemma are the youngest couple on the show and we haven’t planned anything. We just take it day by day and as it comes.’ Earlier this week, Luca made a solo appearance at the TV Choice Awards in a sharp black three-piece evening suit and a crisp white shirt. Smitten: After finishing their series, the pair then enjoyed a very romantic final date on Love Island, where they were serenaded by a six-piece ensemble in a picturesque courtyard Tease: “My favorite moment was the challenge…
