Love Island viewers shocked over ‘problematic’ age gap between Gemma Owen, 19, and Davide Sanclimenti, 27

Gemma Owen and Davide Sanclimenti didn’t waste time snogging in episode one (Picture: ITV)

Love Island got off to a raunchy start with Gemma Owen and bombshell Davide Sanclimenti sharing a kiss, but viewers just could not get past the age gap between them. 

Gemma, 19, certainly made her presence felt during the launch of the new series, with her ‘rude’ comments towards Liam Llewelleyn after coupling up and how she seemed bursting to tell the other islanders that she’s the daughter of football legend Michael Owen. 

She also made a beeline for Italian stallion Davide, who entered halfway through the episode as the surprise new islander, with the two snogging during the dare challenge and Gemma later making it known to the other girls that she was interested in the newbie. 

However, many viewers took issue with the sizable age difference between the pair with Davide, aged 27, eight years Gemma’s senior. 

Among those branding the age gap inappropriate, one Love Island fan tweeted: ‘All I know is someone better tell Davide Gemma’s age before he picks her because it might be problematic for him on the outside.’ 

Another joked: ‘The age difference between Gemma and Davide is the whole Obama administration Nah that can’t run between them two.’ 

Gemma, daughter of ex-footballer Michael Owen, is just 19 (Picture: Rex Features) Davide made his mark on the villa as the first bombshell of the series (Picture: ITV) The Italian stallion has vowed to turn heads in the villa – and he’s succeeded on day one (Picture: ITV)

‘Gemma 19 and Davide 27 can’t get my head around the age difference put that child down,’ one said. 

Joining the critics, another claimed: ‘If Gemma is paired with someone above the age of 25 I’m gonna file a complaint with OFCOM.’ 

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Others attributed Gemma’s perceived ‘rudeness’ to her maturity, including one viewer who said: ‘Gemma is at that age where she thinks being rude is attractive.’ 

However, not everyone was weirded out by the age gap, as one viewer cheered: ‘I don’t see the issue with Gemma’s age, get your bag while you can sis.’ 

Davide, a businessman who hails from Rome, has vowed to dazzle the villa with his charm and, let’s face it, he did that within seconds of walking in.

‘I’m good looking and I’ve realised since I first arrived in Manchester, a lot of English girls actually love me,’ he said before going into the villa. ‘They love to be around me and I love to be around them.

‘It’s going to be fun, I’m looking forward to it. I want to find my soulmate, find my person so I can actually build something in the future, grow with them, be a family.’

Meanwhile, Gemma, an international dressage rider, has vowed to go for what she wants.

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‘But at the same time, I’m not going to mess up something for someone who is in a proper relationship or get in the way of a couple if they have a genuine connection,’ she added.

‘I wouldn’t do anything to another girl that I wouldn’t be happy with them doing to me.’

Love Island airs nightly at 9pm on ITV.

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