Why Jacques and Gemma split before Love Island

Jacques O’Neill and Gemma Owen were the talk of the Love Island villa when it was revealed the pair used to date before heading onto the show. Now, a new report claims to know the real reason why they split.

While Gemma was part of the original Love Island 2022 line-up, ex-boyfriend Jacques joined as a bombshell during week two. The pair are now coupled up with other people (Luca Bish and Paige Thorne respectively), but actually dated for a year, breaking up in the summer of 2020.

Photo credit: ITV

Speaking to The Sun, one of Jacques’ “close friends” has explained why things didn’t work out. “Jacques was really focussed on his rugby career. 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,” the source explained.

“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.”

Fair enough.

Photo credit: ITV

Earlier in the season, Gemma found herself in a sticky situation with partner Luca, after accidentally calling him by Jacques’ name.

Thankfully, though, Jacques and Luca’s bromance is very much alive and well. In fact, during last night’s challenge [21 June], Luca had to pick his perfect Islander, and he they would have Jacques’ personality. Cute.

Love Island continues on ITV2 at 9pm.

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