Love Island’s Luca revealed he has a special moment planned to officially ask Gemma to be his girlfriend outside the villa during Monday night’s series finale.
The fishmonger and former footballer Michael Owen’s daughter finished in second place behind Ekin-Su and Davide, with the couple scooping the £50,000 prize fund.
When show host Laura Whitmore highlighted they had not officially declared themselves a couple, Gemma replied: ‘I was the one that said, “Let’s wait,” because I wanted my family’s approval but definitely on the outside I think that’s the plan.’
Romance on the cards: Love Island’s Luca revealed he has a special moment planned to officially ask Gemma to be his girlfriend outside the villa during Monday night’s series finale
Luca added: ‘I’ve got the whole day planned. I’ve got something special.’
Winners Ekin-Su and Davide declared themselves an official couple earlier in the series while Tasha and Andrew, who finished in fourth place, did the same.
Dami and Indiyah also became official last month, with the pair finishing in third place this series.
Runners-up: The fishmonger and former footballer Michael Owen’s daughter finished in second place behind Ekin-Su and Davide, with the couple scooping the £50,000 prize fund
When asked by Laura if Gemma and Luca could sum up their relationship, Gemma said: ‘Stubborn. We’re both stubborn as hell. We bicker like mad but we get on.’
Luca concluded: ‘I’ve never been so in love with someone and I’ve change while I’ve been in here and I think that’s for the better.’
The pair were a controversial couple this series after Luca was accused by fans of overreacting to certain situations in the villa.
Pause: Gemma said she had wanted to hold off on going official with Luca as she wanted her family’s approval first
Luca had been criticised by a number of viewers for becoming enraged after learning that he and Gemma had been voted for as least compatible couple last week.
After being saved, he sat down at the fire pit and muttered to Gemma: ‘Ooh I’m gonna have some fun tonight,’ suggesting he was about to kick off.
Later, Luca said: ‘The people I voted for I don’t give a f**k’, adding that he sounded ‘angry’ because: ‘F**king all I know is how good me and Gemma are, but then three of you voted for me.’
Taking his side: It comes after Luca’s family defended him after his ‘overreaction’ towards discovering his fellow Islanders had voted for him to go up for a public vote last week
Viewers at home blasted Luca for his reaction, saying it was both over-the-top and hypocritical, after he had called out Tasha for being upset over being in the bottom and also voted for his fellow Islanders.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, his family took his side and screenshot a comment from a fan supporting Luca.
The comment said: ‘Can’t believe how many people lack basic skills. Luca was not upset about the votes, he was upset that no one had voiced any concerns about him and Gemma’s relationship before.
‘Both couples he votes for, he had made clear to them how he felt about their relationships. Is it so bad that he expected the same level of honesty, realness and openness from them?
‘The boy wears his heart on his sleeve, isn’t’ afraid to show vulnerability and had stayed loyal and true to his feelings. The boy cares, let him!’
Luca’s family then added: ‘Say it louder for the people at the back!!!! Our boy has been so open, loyal and honest with his emotions the entire way through this experience.
Defence: Taking to his Instagram Stories, his family took his side and screenshot a comment from a fan supporting Luca
‘Like our mum said, we’ve wanted to tell him off a few times (think I might buy a cream pie to throw at him so that I have the opportunity), but he’s been so true to himself and not been afraid to be emotional.
‘Anything untoward was resolved. We’re so proud, as are his friends. Our boy is coming home with his forever love. LOVE island 2022, complete.’
Gemma and Luca chatted to Laura shortly before Ekin-Su and Davide were announced the winners of this year’s Love Island, with the couple set to split the £50,000 prize money under a new show rule.
The pair beat Gemma and Luca who finished second place as show bosses announced the ‘split or steal’ choice that came with the jackpot was being ditched.
Champions: Gemma and Luca chatted to host Laura shortly before Ekin-Su and Davide (pictured) were announced the winners of this year’s Love Island
First place: The couple finished ahead of Gemma and Luca who were awarded second place and narrowly missed out on the £50,000 cash prize (Davide and Ekin-Su pictured)
In previous years, winners picked an envelope either containing the prize or nothing, with one then deciding whether to share or keep the whole £50,000.
Ekin-Su and Davide were fan and bookies’ favourites going into Monday night’s final.
The Turkish actress jumped into businessman Davide’s arms and he said he ‘couldn’t believe it’ as their names were anounced.
Ekin-Su had reportedly told a friend how she would be ‘tempted’ to steal the whole prize pot if her connection wasn’t genuine.
Asked what Ekin thought she would do if she won she is said to have written in a text: ‘It’s a game show at the end of the day, it’s business. If it’s not genuine I’d be tempted.
End of the road: Viewers waited to discover the winners following an eight-week run of the ITV2 dating show
‘But I’m at the right age to find the right guy. I know what I’m looking for. I want to find The One.’
Ekin-Su said of making the final two on this year’s Love Island: ‘It feels so surreal finding the man of your dreams and just growing.’
Speaking about what she liked most about Davide, she added: ‘Apart from the perfect body, I would definitely say there was an instant spark and a genuine butterfly feeling.’
She also summed up their relationship as ‘absolutely bonkers’, while Davide said he ‘couldn’t believe it’.
Monday night’s finale saw the four remaining couples glam up for the show’s annual summer ball.
Along with Ekin-Su and Davide, the last remaining Islanders were Luca and Gemma, Dami and Indiyah, and finally Tasha and Andrew.
Tasha and Andrew were first to be booted out in fourth place, followed by Dami and Indiyah.
Final scenes: The four couples gathered in the villa garden for the live finale hosted by Laura Whitmore