Gemma Owen’s ex-boyfriend Jacques O’Neill quit his rugby team to appear on Love Island.
The 23-year-old rugby hunk entered the villa as a bombshell on Sunday night (June 12) – much to the surprise of Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma.
Jacques used to play for Super League side Castleford Tigers, but he has now quit the professional rugby team to sign up for the ITV dating show.
His former club issued a statement confirming they’d agreed to release Jacques from his contract to allow him to join the villa.
They wrote: “Castleford Tigers can confirm that the Club has agreed to release Jacques O’Neill from his contract to allow him to pursue another opportunity.”
(Image: ITV)
The club said they would get first dibs on Jacques should he decide to return to rugby after the series.
Castleford Tigers wrote: “The Tigers have the first option to sign O’Neill back next year should he wish to return to rugby league,
“Known for a fearless attitude on the field by Castleford supporters, the Cumbrian born 23-year-old is a proud product of the Tigers’ youth system having come through both our Scholarship and Academy programmes before making his Super League debut.”
Jacques made an explosive entry into the villa on Sunday – where he first enjoyed dates with Paige and Afia.
(Image: Getty Images)
Do you have a story about one of this year’s Love Island stars? Contact us at staronlineshowbiz@reachplc.com.
He proceeded to flirt with Ekin-Su, who is coupled up with Italian hun Davide, before pulling his ex-girlfriend Gemma for a private chat.
He told Paige he still cared for Gemma but wouldn’t pursue her in a romantic way, leaving the Welsh beauty uncertain about the sporty star’s intentions.
Gemma told the girls she wouldn’t date the rugby ace again and that ‘they’re called exes for a reason’ – in the same episode that Jacques hinted they didn’t end things amicably.
(Image: ITV)
Asked why he’s doing Love Island, Jacques said: “I had injury after injury with my hamstring last year. I had an operation and it was a bad time for me. I was saying to my mum the other day that I want a girl and to settle down. I’ve done all my bits.”
On his romantic future, he added: “We all think we’re a catch, don’t we? I’m loyal, I’m respectful and I’ve got good manners. I’ll look after someone close to me to the full extent I can.
“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?”
Love Island airs weekdays on ITV2 and ITVHub.
For more of the latest showbiz news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
