Living with your ex sounds like many peoples idea of hell - but these two Islanders have handled it very well. When Gemma Owen'sex Jacques O'Neillwalked into the Love Island villa as a bombshell it quickly became a huge talking point. Viewers wonderedif we were actually watching MTV's Ex On The Beach instead of the ITV dating show. While Jacques stirs the pot by winding up the villa at any given moment, his entrance didn't actually stir up the drama as we all expected.
The internet was sure that there would be a dramatic love triangle between Gemma, Luca Bish and Jacques. However, apart from Gemma accidentally calling her current partner Luca by Jacques' name (eek), Jacques has actually stayed out of their budding romance. He has even become close with Gemma's partner Luca and they, in turn, have a bit of a bromance going on. This could be weird for many, but they all seem very secure. But why did Gemma and Jacques split in the first place?
Why did Love Island's Gemma and Jacques break up?
The pair dated for a year and split up in the summer of 2020. Speaking to The Sun, one of Jacques' 'close friends' explained why things didn't work out. 'Jacques was really focussed on his rugby career. Even though he was in a relationship with Gemma, he didn't want to let that stop him from taking the chance to play for Leeds,' the source explained.
'He moved two hours away from where she lives in Cheshire. Things between them went downhill pretty quickly while trying long-distance. They didn't last long after that.' Some Love Island fans were convinced that Jacques went into Love Island to win Gemma back. But Jacques friend has revealed the real reason why that would never happen - and it's not because of his budding relationship withPaige Thorne.
They added, 'Jacques wouldn’t dare get back with Gemma because all the rugby boys would give him too much stick.' Jacques made his professional rugby debut aged 20 with Castleford Tigers. However, he been released from his Castleford contract while he is in the villa. Nevertheless, he's expected to push for a return to rugby in the near future.
Jacques is currently coupled up with Paige. Although they had a slow start as a couple, the pair recently had their first kiss and spent a raunchy night in the hideaway. However, Jay Younger (who is currently coupled up with Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu) looks like his head may be turning for Paige. Will Paige and Jacques go the distance? Or will Jay steal Paige, leaving Jacques single?