Now Big Brother is well and truly behind us for another year, we can officially start obsessing over the next Love Island All Stars.
Yep, somehow it's been almost a year since Molly Smith and Tom Clare were crowned the winners of the first edition of the spin-off series and they are STILL together (they have a house and everything) – proof that reality TV dating shows might actually work? Who would've thought?
Naturally, with just weeks to go until Love Island: All Stars 2 becomes our January obsession (well, that and The Traitors series 3), speculation over which former Islanders will be making their return to the villa for a second (or third or fourth) stab at love are rifer than rife. And, naturally, being Closer online, we're doing our best to keep up with all the rumours.
One name that seems to be on everybody's lips is Love Island 2022 legend, Gemma Owen. Pretty much since ITV greenlit the second series of All Stars, Gemma's name has been the hottest of topics in reality telly circles, as has her ex Luca Bish's.
Gemma and Luca were inseparable in the Love Island 2022 villa and made it to the final, finishing in second place behind Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti. And while they managed to keep the relationship going for a few months on the outside, sadly, the romance was not meant to be and the couple spit in November 2022.
Luca, however, recently went public with new girlfriend Italian model Giulia Ciancio, and given that being a single Pringle is a requisite for this show, his involvement is now looking highly unlikely.
But those Gemma rumours continue to swirl...
However, Gemma's famous dad, former footballer Michael Owen may have just shone a little more light on his daughter's involvement in the latest series – and it doesn't look good for Gemma fans.
Speaking to Closer at a festive party hosted by Peacocks at London's Soho House, Michael revealed that he 'doubts' his daughter will do Love Island again, and that based on what he 'knows, feels and hears', he would be 'surprised' if she ended up slow-mo walking into the villa for a second time.
Michael exclusively told Closer, 'I’d love to work with Gemma more – we’ve already done one or two bits. We’re in talks to do something at the moment – whether we do it or not, I’m not sure. We’re very similar so we probably get on each other’s nerves when we’re together. We’re great.
'I doubt she’ll go on to Love Island All Stars, but I don’t know. Based on what I know, feel and hear, I would be surprised. I think she’s trying to branch away from reality. She’s pleased with what she did, but I think that chapter is actually finished but might lead on to other things that she wants to branch out on to.'
While no names have been officially confirmed by ITV, plenty of names have been doing the rounds, including Olivia Hawkins, Ovie Soko and Davide Sanclimenti.
Browse Michael's Peacocks collections at https://www.peacocks.co.uk/. Michael told Closer, 'I’ve been working with Peacocks for the past year and I’ve really loved the experience! I’ve got all the clothes in my wardrobe!'
WATCH: Love Island's Ovie Soko reveals whether he would return to the villa for All Stars and it's not good news 😭
Ben Pulsford is a digital writer for Bauer Media, writing for both Closer online and heatworld. When he's not getting paid to gossip about Big Brother, Love Island and The Real Housewives of Cheshire, he's storming the London LGBTQ+ scene as drag queen, Beary Poppins. Both Ben and Beary are awaiting an invite to join The Real Housewives of Cheshire for series 18. The budget's not there, but the drama is 💅.