Michael Owen, the 46-year-old former England footballer, has revealed that he has never verbally expressed his love for his four children. Owen shared this personal insight into his emotional expression during an appearance on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast, which is also featured in his new fly-on-the-wall docuseries, "Meet The Owens."
Owen stated, "I never ever tell my kids I love them. I don't say anything like that." He believes his actions demonstrate his love, though he acknowledges this approach may be "a bad thing." He further mused, "I think most of us are like that."
"Meet The Owens" follows a year in the life of Owen, his wife Louise, and their children Gemma, James, Emily, and Jessica, as they navigate their horse racing business and family life. Despite his children being "the dearest things to him," Owen admits he is not prone to outward displays of affection.
During the podcast, Laing reacted with visible shock to Owen's confession, stating, "It's not a good thing. It's not healthy." Owen questioned the impact of constant verbal affirmations, suggesting, "But if you say it all the time, does it mean anything?" He also indicated a preference for "tough love," while admitting he would "love to be a bit soft" and that he believes this emotional openness might come with age.
In the same interview, Owen also expressed his unconventional view on films, calling those who watch them "weirdos." He explained, "What are you doing with your life if you're just watching fakeness? Sorry 99.9999% of the population. You're all weirdos."
This is not the first time Owen's personal habits have drawn attention. In 2023, his friend Peter Crouch revealed on a podcast that Owen has never consumed tea or coffee, nor has he watched more than three films in his life. Owen himself confirmed this in 2018, noting, "I've never drunk a cup of tea in my life, or coffee for that matter. But I've just learned how to make one."
Owen also addressed past public reactions to his comments about ambition. In his docuseries, he reflects on a viral moment from 2023 where he described his childhood bravery as risking throwing an apple into a bin at home, knowing he might miss. This anecdote became a widely shared meme, with many mocking the story. Owen, however, dismissed the criticism in the series, stating that those who laughed "don't get it" and are "bloody muppets."
His parents, Terry and Jeanette Owen, also commented on the incident in the series, suggesting that "people twist things." They explained his competitive nature from a young age, noting his desire to win everything.
Prime Video's "Meet The Owens" is a six-part docuseries produced by Whisper. The series documents Owen's family life as they manage their horse racing business and prepare for their youngest, Jessica, to pursue Olympic showjumping. His daughter Emily is also aiming to be the first Owen to attend university, while son James is considering joining the family business.
All six episodes of "Meet The Owens" are available to stream exclusively on Prime Video starting August 28, 2026.