When Paddy met Ali ...

Early tensions in bachelor house

GEELONG gym manager Paddy Colliar has been cast as the series villain in the premier episode of The Bachelorette.

The 27-year-old made his reality television debut last night as one of 18 men hoping to find love with Ali Oetjen.

Exiting the limousine with a soccer ball in hand, Colliar used fancy footwork and flattery to make a lasting first impression.

“Obviously you keep yourself in very good shape. I manage a gym,” he said, later interrupting Oetjen to mention he played football in the UK.

In an interview after the meeting, Oetjen joked to cameras she “couldn’t get a word in”.

Pulling out all the stops, Colliar had also prepared a “very romantic” poem for his potential flame complete with compliments, a few facts about himself and an invitation to chat more later.

“Ali looks fit as, she is definitely my type of girl,” he told producers.

But it was Colliar’s relationships with the other men in the house that dominated the series opener. As he entered the mansion to meet his new housemates, upbeat music hinted to viewers Colliar was set to liven up the party. “Tonight I am going to be stirring the absolute pot,” he said.

The personal trainer joked to the group that he got the first kiss of the show and bragged about their “instant connection”.

But it was his commentary of Oetjen’s appearance that was quick to offend.

“My eyes were wandering … her legs are unbelievable … her hair colour is unbelievable. She is fit as f---,” he said.

Attempts to remind Colliar he wasn’t on a “footy trip” were made in vain.

“She is a good looking girl though, you shouldn’t pull me aside for that,” he told a concerned contestant.

Battle lines have been drawn between Colliar and the show’s youngest potential suitor, Nathan, who was caught out talking behind the Geelong local’s back.

“He’s definitely on my radar, I think he’s a bit sneaky,” Colliar said.

Previews of future episodes show Colliar questioning the intentions of other men and part of a group date challenge that appears to result in a scuffle.

“I am feeling pretty confident looking around at all the boys in the room, let’s be honest, you’ve got a tin man, a guy in a dress, pretty boy Nathan who thinks he’s better than all the other people and a guy that looks like the Honey Badger — I don’t think I have anything to worry about,” he said last night.

The Bachelorette returns to Channel 10 at 7.30pm tonight.