Love Island All Stars’ Luca Bish reveals mum forced him to return to show after misogyny accusations

LOVE Island’s Luca Bish has revealed his mum forced his All Stars return – after misogyny accusations marred his initial matchmaking show experience.

The fish seller, who first starred on Love Island in 2022, told how the series spin off was a “second chance” after he was blasted over his former “controlling behaviour.”

Luca was coupled up with footballer Michael Owen‘s daughter Gemma, 21, during his debut on the ITV2 dating series.

Yet his “misogynistic” conduct was called out by both fans and organisations including Women’s Aid after he furiously reacted to Gemma “flirting” with Billy Brown.

Viewers raised concerns with regulator Ofcom, saying he was gaslighting Gemma, with a huge 2,481 complaints after one row. 

At the time, Luca was also flagged by his co-stars including Jay Younger, who dubbed him “insecure” before slamming his negative behaviour towards co-star Tasha Ghouri, 26.

Now the Brighton lad has spoken out on how his past telly stint – and parent Maria – impacted his decision to sign up for the 2025 show cast.

Talking of the second All Stars spin-off, which begins on Monday, he said: “‘I watched it back. I think my mum forced me to.

“Obviously there’s some great moments and things I’d really laughed about, and obviously not so good.”

He conceded he “couldn’t disagree” with the negative backlash and admitted: “I learnt lessons.

“It’s the lessons we learn from that make us who we are today.”

Luca, who has been candid in addressing his conduct three years ago, added: “I definitely look back and I think ‘what a k**b’ but that’s why I’m coming on again.

“Luckily I got asked to do it another time and get the second chance to kind of show you guys the more real me.”

Luca apologised after the show three years ago and said: “With my controlling behaviour, it took me watching it back to realise what I had done.”

At the time, Teresa Parker, head of communications and media relations at Women’s Aid, told Metro.co.uk: “At Women’s Aid we are being tagged into a stream of Twitter posts, with viewers of Love Island highlighting the misogyny and controlling behaviour being shown on screen. 

“This is clearly more than talking about any individual contestants, and a programme based around the formation of romantic relationships must have guidelines on what behaviour is acceptable and unacceptable in those relationships.

“We are talking to ITV, and they have shared with us information on their inclusion training, but what appears to be missing is specific information on abusive relationships and an understanding of controlling behaviour in relationships.”

LUCA’S SECOND CHANCE

Back in 2022, Luca and Gemma came runners up to Ekin-Su Culculoglu and Davide Sanclimenti, but the pair split three months later.

Yet Luca’s stint in the All Stars villa might not go down well with his ex.

A TV source told us: “This is the last thing Gemma wants because in the last year she’s tried to keep her personal life private.

“Their break-up was shrouded in secrecy and neither has discussed it, but it did not end well.

“He hinted he was blindsided by the break-up when she posted it online and this is his time to spill the beans.”

Yet, for his part, Luca has exclusively told The Sun how he would quit if Gemma returned as a bombshell.