Are you and Megan dating right now?
Not officially but it’s a ‘watch-this-space’ kind of thing right now. The door to our relationship is definitely not closed. We’re still very close and we’re working towards getting back together. That’s the goal but there’s a lot going on at the moment so hopefully love prevails.
Why do you think she’s the one for you?
We’ve been through so much together, from the high of meeting on a reality TV show and falling head over heels in love, to the fact that she was there for me when my mum Robyn died, aged 64, from breast cancer. That happened two weeks after we left Fiji in 2018. Megan was totally there for me then. We fell in love and started a relationship just as I was going through the hardest thing in my life in losing my mum. We’ve had our ups and downs but I think we’re meant to be.
If that’s the case, why did you go on Bachelor in Paradise this time?
At the time, Megan and I weren’t together. I’m a great believer in the [Bachelor] format – it’s worked for me already and the show has worked for lots of other people. But as soon as I got to Fiji, it didn’t feel right. Nowadays, a lot of the contenders are playing a strategic game to stay on TV. Friendship roses are given out just to keep people there. Call it corny, but for me, every rose I’ve ever given or received has meant something.
What are you looking for in a relationship?
I’m 34 so I’m really looking to marry and have kids. My dad Brian is very unwell with aggressive skin cancer and he also suffers from dementia. While I was in Fiji, I had a lot of time to think about what I wanted. Losing Mum so young and having issues with my dad made me realise life is short and that I should really fight for what I want in life. I realised pretty quickly while I was there that I had to try one more time to make it work with Megan.
How will you feel if it doesn’t work out with Megan?
I’ll be devastated but I’d have to accept that it just wasn’t meant to be. I hope it doesn’t come to that.
If it doesn’t work out will you turn to online dating –or maybe becoming a Bachelor one day?
I don’t think I’ll go on the show again – I’ve had three goes! I don’t have any regrets though. Every time I’ve done the show, I’ve learnt something new about myself. If it doesn’t work out with Megan, I won’t turn to online dating because that’s never really been something I’ve enjoyed. I’ll just have to hope that something happens naturally.
You very nearly made it work with Georgia Love too. Are you still close?
Yes, we talk and message each other occasionally. She lost her mum just after she’d been The Bachelorette and then I lost my mum so we bonded over that. Lee and
I talk a bit too. They’re busy planning their wedding at the moment. It’s really exciting and I’m so happy for them because I feel like I was a part of their journey. But now I’m looking for my own happy ever after – marriage, kids and settling down. I know I’ve found ‘the one’ – now Megan and I just have to make it work.