Gemma Owen first became widely known as a contestant on Love Island in 2022, but reality television was only one part of her story. Before appearing on ITV2, she had already built a serious career in competitive dressage and had represented Great Britain internationally.

Now, in 2026, Gemma is back in the spotlight through the Prime Video documentary series Meet the Owens, which follows her father Michael Owen and the wider Owen family. The series also documents Gemma’s move from social media and television towards horse racing and a new challenge in the saddle.

Who is Gemma Owen?

Gemma Rose Owen is a British dressage rider, businesswoman, television personality and presenter. She was born on 1 May 2003, making her 23 years old in September 2026. She is the eldest child of former England footballer Michael Owen and Louise Owen.

She grew up around sport and horses, developing an interest in riding from a young age. By the time she entered Love Island, she was already an experienced international dressage competitor rather than someone whose career began with reality television.

That background remains important to understanding her career today.

How old is Gemma Owen?

Gemma Owen was born on 1 May 2003 in England. She was 19 when she entered the Love Island villa in 2022 and is 23 years old in 2026.

ITV introduced her to viewers in 2022 as a 19-year-old international dressage rider and business owner from Chester.

Gemma Owen’s dressage career

Long before Love Island, Gemma was competing seriously in dressage.

She told ITV ahead of the show that she had represented Great Britain in dressage from the age of 11 and had travelled around Europe for major competitions.

Her sporting background also included competing at the 2021 European Championships. This is one reason her career cannot simply be described as that of a reality-TV personality: equestrian sport was already a major part of her life before she became famous on television.

In 2026, her connection with horses took a new direction.

Gemma Owen and Meet the Owens

One of the biggest developments in Gemma Owen‘s career in 2026 is her appearance in Meet the Owens, a six-part Prime Video documentary series about the Owen family.

The programme follows Michael Owen, his wife Louise and their four children while documenting their family life and horse-racing business. Gemma has a particularly prominent storyline as she moves from presenting and social media towards training as a jockey.

According to Prime Video, Gemma’s story includes training at her father’s stables with the aim of racing at Glorious Goodwood. The series follows the challenges involved in preparing for that opportunity, including an accident during training.

The series premiered on Prime Video in the UK and Ireland on 28 August 2026, with all six episodes available to Prime members.

Who is Gemma Owen’s dad?

Gemma Owen is the eldest daughter of former England footballer Michael Owen.

Michael enjoyed a long professional football career and became one of England’s best-known strikers. His sporting profile meant that Gemma attracted considerable media attention even before she entered Love Island.

Her connection to football was also something she openly discussed when joining the ITV show. She explained that sport had always been a major part of her family life.

Today, however, the family’s connection to sport extends beyond football. Michael is involved in horse racing, and Gemma’s equestrian career has become an important part of the family’s current story.

Gemma Owen on Love Island

Gemma joined the eighth series of Love Island in 2022.

At the time, ITV described her as an international dressage rider and business owner from Chester. She entered the villa at 19 and quickly became one of the most discussed contestants because of both her personality and her famous family background.

Her Love Island journey eventually saw her couple up with Luca Bish. The pair reached the final and finished as runners-up.

Her time on the programme also brought another unexpected connection when her former boyfriend, rugby player Jacques O’Neill, entered the villa.

Gemma Owen and Luca Bish

Gemma Owen and Luca Bish became one of the best-known couples from Love Island’s 2022 series.

They finished as runners-up and continued their relationship after leaving the villa. However, their romance did not last long-term. Their split was reported in November 2022, only a few months after the show’s finale.

Since then, Gemma has moved on from her Love Island relationship and focused more heavily on her own career, equestrian interests and media work.

Who is Gemma Owen dating in 2026?

Gemma’s current relationship has received renewed attention in 2026.

Recent reports have linked her romantically with Red Morgan, although coverage of their relationship has varied and Gemma has generally kept aspects of her private life away from the spotlight. Capital reported on the relationship in September 2026 while discussing her appearance in Meet the Owens.

Because celebrity relationships can change and public reporting does not always provide the same level of detail, it is best to distinguish reported relationships from information Gemma herself has formally confirmed.

Gemma Owen’s family

Gemma is the eldest of Michael Owen and Louise Owen’s four children.

Her siblings are:

• James Michael Owen
• Emily May Owen
• Jessica Owen

The family has become increasingly visible through Meet the Owens, which gives viewers a closer look at their home life and individual ambitions.

Gemma’s siblings have their own interests. James is involved in discussions around the family’s horse-racing business, while younger sister Jessica is pursuing showjumping ambitions.

What is Gemma Owen doing now?

In 2026, Gemma’s career is moving in a different direction from her early reality-TV fame.

She remains associated with television and social media, but Meet the Owens shows her taking horse racing more seriously. She trains at her family’s stables and works towards competing as a jockey.

The change is notable because it connects her current career with the equestrian background she had before Love Island. Rather than leaving horses behind after becoming famous on television, Gemma has returned to the sporting world in a new role.

Gemma Owen’s career beyond Love Island

Gemma’s public career has developed across several areas.

Before Love Island, she was already competing in dressage and had business interests. After the show, she expanded her presence as a social media personality and television figure.

Her latest work adds another dimension: presenting and horse racing. Prime Video’s description of Meet the Owens specifically highlights her first presenting work as well as her training towards becoming a jockey.

This combination of television, social media and equestrian sport helps explain why Gemma remains relevant several years after her Love Island appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gemma Owen

How old is Gemma Owen?

Gemma Owen was born on 1 May 2003, so she is 23 years old in 2026.

Who is Gemma Owen’s dad?

Her father is former England footballer Michael Owen. Gemma is his eldest child.

What is Gemma Owen famous for?

She is best known for appearing on Love Island in 2022, where she and Luca Bish finished as runners-up. She was already an international dressage rider before entering the show.

Is Gemma Owen a professional horse rider?

Gemma has an established background in competitive dressage and represented Great Britain internationally. In 2026, she is also training towards horse racing and jockeying.

Is Gemma Owen in Meet the Owens?

Yes. Gemma is one of the central family members featured in Prime Video’s six-part 2026 documentary Meet the Owens.

Who did Gemma Owen date on Love Island?

Gemma formed a relationship with Luca Bish during Love Island’s eighth series. The pair reached the final and finished as runners-up before later separating.

Who is Gemma Owen’s boyfriend in 2026?

Recent media reports have linked Gemma with Red Morgan. However, details about their relationship should be treated as current media reporting rather than assuming that every detail has been publicly confirmed by Gemma.

Where can you watch Meet the Owens?

Meet the Owens is available on Prime Video in the UK and Ireland. The six-part series launched on 28 August 2026.

Final Thoughts

Gemma Owen’s public profile began with her appearance on Love Island, but her story started well before reality television. She had already spent years competing in dressage and representing Great Britain internationally.

In 2026, she is entering another stage of her career. Through Meet the Owens, viewers can see her balancing television and public life with a return to horses and training as a jockey.

That makes Gemma Owen’s current career notably different from the one audiences first saw in the Love Island villa: her equestrian background is once again at the centre of her professional ambitions.