An affair to remember
As a new Bachelor debuts, former contestants share their favourite moments with Siobhan Duck
EIGHT dashing suitors, 204 glamorous women, two weddings, five babies and one “dirty street pie”. With its unique blend of Mills & Boon-style romance and OTT reality TV drama, The Bachelor Australia has brought us countless characters and stories that have set hearts aflutter every year since its 2013 debut.
This week, Jimmy Nicholson becomes the ninth Bachelor, with 23 new ladies competing for the good-looking pilot’s heart. “There are multiple ‘Oh my God’ moments, and the majority of the time I had a smile on my face when it happened,” Nicholson recalls with a laugh. “I probably put my foot in it a few times, but I got myself out of it.”
But before we take off for another season of helicopter rides, candlelit dinners and champagnefuelled catfights, let’s look back at some of the most memorable moments, as told by those at the very heart of the series.
Brittany Hockley: Season 6, Bachelor Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins
“I guess the most memorable moment was being in a position where I thought I had my happily ever after… only for there to be the biggest plot twist in Bachelor existence. Nick threw a fakey and didn’t pick anyone, leaving me in tears in my white dress and confused about what had just happened. Lol. I mean, you’ve got to laugh now, right?”
Alex Nation: Season 4, Bachelor Richie Strahan
“How could we forget the iconic chocolate bath. The meme dream! Without fail, every Easter I am tagged in that photo of me absolutely drenched in decadent chocolate. Absolutely timeless. It reigns supreme.”
Laura Byrne: Season 5, Bachelor Matthew “Matty J” Johnson
“I have a lot of favourite moments – meeting Matty, the first time we had a good, old snog, our first date, the first time we said ‘I love you’… but one of my most special memories was my hometown visit where Matt got to meet my Papa. Shortly after the season ended filming, my Papa had a stroke and he was never the same after it. Not too long after that, he passed away. It meant so much to me that my Pa got to meet the father of my children and that Matt got a small glimpse into the wonderful man he was.”
Abbie Chatfield: Season 7, Bachelor Matt Agnew
“My favourite moment from my season was definitely Rachael [Arahill] having a Plan B with a crew member and not caring less when she was caught. Icon.”
Matthew “Matty J” Johnson: Season 5, Bachelor... Himself!
“Without wanting to get too mushy – but prepare yourself for mushiness – all of the dates I went on with Laura were incredible: our first kiss, paragliding over cliffs, naming our own star, swimming with elephants in Thailand. But my favourite was at the finale when I told her I loved her. She was crying, I was crying, I’m pretty sure Osher even had a tear. It’s a moment I’ll never forget and [it] always makes me smile.”
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