Reality television personality Gemma Owen experienced a somewhat rocky start to her career as a television presenter, as documented in the new Prime Video series Meet The Owens. The show captured behind-the-scenes moments from Owen’s debut hosting gig on Channel 4’s Horse Of The Year show, revealing a series of notable blunders that amused viewers and her family alike.
Early Stumbles in Hosting Debut
Gemma Owen, who gained fame on the 2022 season of Love Island and has since been pursuing a career in horse racing, approached her first presenting role with apparent confidence, drawing on advice from her father, former professional footballer Michael Owen. However, her initial interview segment quickly became a source of unexpected humor.
According to the show’s footage, Owen was mistakenly briefed that her first guest would be a pair named Wayne and Carol. The situation took a comical turn when the guest introduced herself, stating, “My name is Fiona!” Fortunately, the segment was pre-recorded, allowing the participants to laugh off the misidentification.
The lighthearted chaos continued shortly after when Owen attempted to obtain the phone number of a producer who resided in Wales. In a moment that prompted laughter from her mother, Louise, Gemma questioned, “Do Welsh people have the same number as us? Do I have to put plus 44?” Her mother’s amusement was evident, to which Gemma defended her query by noting, “Well I mean, she’s Welsh!”
Family Dynamics and Career Paths
Beyond Gemma’s hosting debut, Meet The Owens offers a broader look into the family’s life. Michael Owen reflected on his bond with his eldest daughter, describing Gemma as his “female version” and acknowledging her resilience in the face of public attention. “She’s now a name in her own right with millions of followers… The good thing is Gemma is [hard as] nails, you don’t worry about her,” he commented.
Gemma herself admitted to a dynamic where she and her father often “butt heads” due to their similar personalities, a sentiment echoed by her mother, Louise.
Louise Owen’s Influence on Michael’s Career
The docuseries also delved into significant moments from Michael Owen’s football career, particularly his brief tenure at Real Madrid. Louise Owen revealed that her personal experience during their time in Spain played a role in his decision to leave the club after just one season.
Michael Owen joined Real Madrid in 2004 after an eight-year spell with Liverpool. The family, including a then-toddler Gemma, relocated to Madrid. While Michael enjoyed his time playing for the prestigious club, experiencing a new culture and teammates like David Beckham, Ronaldo, and Luís Figo, Louise found the experience isolating.
“Having your first child then moving to a foreign country where you don’t have your support network – it was so lonely,” Louise explained. “I didn’t even have Michael, he was away half of the week. Michael had to try and embed himself in a new team and get to know everybody and I was kind of stuck in this hotel with a young baby by myself.”
Michael acknowledged his wife’s unhappiness, stating, “I was loving it. I was scoring goals and having a great time and enjoying it. But in the back of my mind constantly I knew my wife was hating it.” He recognized that Louise’s struggles meant there was “no coming back from that” and that she would not have stayed another year. This realization, coupled with the desire to keep his young family together, influenced his decision to depart from Real Madrid.
Louise expressed a sense of “guilt” over her role in cutting short his career chapter at the Spanish giants, pondering if he would have stayed longer had she not been unhappy. “If he had been completely selfish about his career would he have made that decision to come back when he did? I don’t know,” she mused.
The Owens Family Today
Meet The Owens, a six-part docuseries produced by Whisper, chronicles a year in the life of the entire Owen family: Michael, Louise, and their four children—Gemma, James, Emily, and Jessica. The series navigates their endeavors in the horse racing business alongside the complexities of their home life.
As the parents prepare for an “empty nest,” their children are charting their own courses. Jessica aims to become an Olympic showjumping champion, Emily, 18, is pursuing higher education, and James is contemplating joining the family business. The series provides an intimate look at their individual aspirations and collective family dynamics.
All episodes of Meet The Owens are currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
