FORMER footballer Michael Owen has spoken of his pride for daughter Gemma after she finished as a runner-up on this year's Love Island.

The 19-year-old was one of the current series' most-popular contestants.

But despite that - she and partner Luca Bish ended up second in the ITV2 dating series.

Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti eventually beat them to the £50,000 prize.

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Dad Michael - who attended Rector Drew Primary School in Hawarden as a child - is best known for having played for the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and of course England.

During his prime, he was one of the best goalscorers around and even won the prestigious Ballon d'Or prize (given to the best footballer in the world) in 2001.

Owen has taken to various social media platforms this week to speak of his pride for Gemma. He posted this on his Twitter account.

In a further post on Instagram, he described Gemma as a 'special girl' and added 'Now get home, as we've all missed you'.

On the Twitter post shared by Owen, even Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling gave his views. He wrote: "And she has Michael. A lovely girl who represented your family with grace and maturity which takes some doing in Love Island."