Love Island 2022: Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma and first deaf contestant among this year’s islanders
Michael Owen’s daughter, a senior microbiologist, and the first-ever deaf islander are among this year’s Love Island contestants.
The 2022 series is well underway, with a new cast of singletons settled into the villa this summer.
It remains to be seen who will win the new series, after last year’s show was won by Millie Court and Liam Reardon.
This year’s group of contestants took part in inclusion training before the start of the 2022 season.
In May, the first batch of this year’s Love Island contestants were revealed. Among them were Gemma, daughter of footballer Michael Owens, and Tasha, the show’s first ever deaf islander.
Here are your 2022 Love Island cast...
Paige Thorne, 24 – Paramedic
24-year-old Paige is heading into the Love Island villa in hope of finding romance, after lamenting about the slim pickings in her hometown of Swansea. She has just come out of a relationship, but has struggled to click with anyone on her dates and describes herself as the “mumsy” one of the group.
“If I had to pick a signature dish, it would probably be a Sunday dinner,” she said. “My roasties are up there, I think Gordon Ramsay would be impressed.”
Paige is currently in a couple with Jacques.
Follow Paige on Instagram here.
Dami Hope, 26 – Senior Microbiologist
Dami has chosen to leave his home in Dublin and enter the villa as part of his year-long bid to try “new things”. His trick to finding love is being himself. “I don’t know if I will cause trouble, I’ll try not to cause trouble but sometimes you don’t intentionally cause trouble – but it happens!” he said.
On what he brings to a relationship, Dami said: “I’m really good at being a team and actually looking after each other,” attributing the quality to his Aries star sign.
Dami is currently in a couple with Amber.
Follow Dami on Instagram here.
Indiyah Polack, 23 – Hotel Waitress
Indiyah is 23 and comes from London. She’s heading into the villa in hope of meeting new people after being single for a while. Her previous partners have been pretty varied and she says she’s never “been out with two guys who are quite the same”.
“I feel like I’m going to bring a lot of flavour and vibrancy,” Indiyah said of joining Love Island. “I feel like I’m quite a down to earth person, so it shouldn’t be an issue to meet a lover or a friend.”
Indiyah is currently in a couple with Ikenna.
Follow Indiyah on Instagram here.
Liam Llewellyn, 22 – Masters Student
Heading into the villa from his hometown in Newport, South Wales, Liam is studying for a masters in strength and conditioning. He’s 22, which he says is a “really nice age” to find a partner, as “you’ve got your years ahead of you so you have time to experience stuff and grow together”.
Asked how his friends and family would describe him, Liam said: “They’d probably say quite generous, quite caring, happy, chatty, chirpy, bubbly. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I can’t hide how I feel about anyone. I’m probably quite emotional as well, come to think about it.”
Liam left the villa after five days, saying he hadn’t “been himself” since arriving.
Follow Liam on Instagram here.
Tasha Ghouri, 23 – Model and Dancer
Self-proclaimed “party animal” Tasha is the next contestant to join Love Island 2022. The 23-year-old model and dancer comes from Thirsk in north Yorkshire and describes her dating life as “a shambles”.
Tasha is also the first deaf islander to appear on the show. “I think [my friends and family] would say I’m inspirational because of my hearing and my cochlear implant,” she said. “I inspire quite a lot of people because I’m really open about it.”
Tasha is currently in a couple with Andrew.
Follow Tasha on Instagram here.
Davide Sanclimenti, 27 – Business Owner
Hailing from Rome but living in Manchester, 27-year-old Davide is ready to bring his “Italian charm” to the villa this summer. He’s looking for something serious and a girl to spend his life with and describes himself as a “deep person”.
Davide said: “I’m good looking and I’ve realised since I first arrived in Manchester, a lot of English girls actually love me. 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.”
Davide is currently in a couple with Ekin-Su.
Follow Davide on Instagram here.
Gemma Owen, 19 – International Dressage Rider
Gemma may be just 19, but she’s no stranger to the travelling the world in limelight. The Chester native owns her own business and has been competing for Great Britain in dressage riding since she was 11. Sport is clearly in her blood, as she is the daughter of England footballer Michael Owen.
Asked what she’ll bring to the villa, she said: “I would say I’m fun, flirty and fiery. I think I’m good at giving advice, I’m a good person to talk to, I’m very honest. If I want the same guy, I’d do it but in a nice respectful way.”
Gemma is currently in a couple with Luca.
Follow Gemma on Instagram here.
Ikenna Ekwonna, 23 – Pharmaceutical Sales
Ikenna comes from Nottingham and works in pharmaceutical sales. Aged 23, he’s only been in one relationship in the past and says he’s now at the age to find someone to settle with.
As for his most memorable dating experience? “I took my ex on holiday for her birthday,” he said. “We went to Barcelona for four nights and I was pretty young then, maybe like 19-20. It was for her birthday so she didn’t know about it. It was quite a lot of money to spend for that age.”
Ikenna is currently in a couple with Indiyah.
Follow Ikenna on Instagram here.
Andrew Le Page, 27 – Real Estate Agent
Guernsey native Andrew is usually in a relationship and said that he applied for Love Island because he’s “actually single for once”. The estate agent is 27 and says that he’s a good boyfriend who once surprised an ex with a spontaneous trip to Paris.
Conjuring the spirit of Georgia “I’m loyal, babes” Steel from series four, he said: “When I’m with someone I’m very loyal, I’m a good boyfriend as when I’m with someone I’m all for them.”
Andrew is currently in a couple with Tasha.
Follow Andrew on Instagram here.
Amber Beckford, 24 – Nanny
Working as a nanny means Amber is used to spending time with kids, but has far less patience with annoying adults. The 24-year-old Londoner wants to make friends with the girls in the villa, but is also looking for a boyfriend too.
However, she’s got no time for guys who show off. “I don’t like flashy, showy-offy guys – just have a personality and make me laugh,” she said. “There was this one guy and he was trying to purposefully show off his car keys and we were literally in the middle of a restaurant!”
Amber is currently in a couple with Dami.
Follow Amber on Instagram here.
Luca Bish, 23 – Fishmonger
Hailing from Brighton, Luca was inspired to join Love Island after seeing “how many couples [the series has] genuinely made”. One year out of a four-year relationship and Luca is ready to meet new singletons in the villa, but admits that “when you go looking for it, it’s not as easy”.
The 23-year-old did say, however, that he isn’t one to “throw out dates”, only taking someone out if he is really interested in them.
Luca is currently in a couple with Gemma.
Follow Luca on Instagram here.
Afia Tonkmor, 25 – Lounge Host
Arriving into the villa as a bombshell, Afia, who works at a private members’ club, has said she is open to finding love. “It just seems like a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet someone, have an amazing summer, just have so much fun and have a bit of a summer romance as well,” she said of the chance to appear on Love Island.
Afia added that viewers shouldn’t expect her to play it too cool once she’s in the villa. “I fall in love quickly, too quickly, two dates I am like, ‘OMG I am obsessed with this boy, he’s everything,’” she said.
Afia was dumped from the villa in the first recoupling.
Follow Afia on Instagram here.
Ekin-Su CuÌlcuÌlogÌlu, 27 – Actor
The 27-year-old says that she’s looking for a spark with someone, explaining: “I’m looking for that real genuine spark and they just see me as me. I think the concept of the show brings back true and raw feelings.” For Ekin-Su, brains come first in a man and she has no time for “cockiness”.
The actor added: “I’m quite picky and I’m not just looking for looks, I’m looking for brains,” she said. “I’m looking for someone with intelligence, someone who can have good chats... I’m looking for a serious man and a serious relationship.”
Ekin-Su is currently in a couple with Davide.
Follow Ekin-Su on Instagram here.
Jacques O'Neill, 23 – Rugby Player
Jacques’ arrival sent shockwaves through the villa, as he used to date fellow Islander Gemma. The 23-year-old hails from Cumbria and is a professional rugby player, with his team Castleford Tigers have releasing him as a player to allow him to “pursue another opportunity” by going on Love Island.
Jacques said he thinks he’s a good catch because he is “loyal, respectful and I’ve got good manners”. He added: “I would have a baby in two or three years. I think I’d be good with babies too, they’d be good looking, wouldn’t they?”
Jacques is currently in a couple with Paige.
Follow Jacques on Instagram here.
Remi Lambert, 22 – Model
22-year-old Remi is one of the latest bombshells to join the villa. Based in Manchester, he’s said that it was previous islanders that inspired him to take part in the show.
“When I saw Molly [Mae Hague] and Tommy [Fury] and saw how strong they are together, I thought, ‘I want a love like that,’” he said. Of his ideal woman, he said that, being six foot three himself, he likes to date women who are at least five foot 10.
Remi was booted out of the villa after a surprise recoupling.
Follow Remi on Instagram here.
Jay Younger, 28 – Investment Banker
Newcomer Jay has confidence. Asked why he considered himself to be a catch, the Edinburgh-based banker said: “I think I genuinely have what most females want.”
“I’ve got a good job, I think I am a good-looking lad and I have a lot of fun so I feel like I could add a lot of value to their lives if they add a lot of value to mine.”
Love Island airs on ITV2 at 9pm every night except Saturdays.
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