“I don’t have any preference when it comes to race or colour,” he told News.com.au.
“For me, it was more about the personality and the character I was looking for.”
“Does it need to be more diverse? I think that’s a question for Channel 10 more so than myself.”
The 31-year-old’s admission comes after viewers took to Twitter to vent their frustrations, with one user going so far as to suggest that the show be renamed ‘The Bachelor Australia: Attack of the Clones.’
A spokesperson for Network Ten has since confirmed that race plays no factor in casting for the series.
“The Bachelor Australia is cast on the applicants’ merits and race is not a factor influencing the selection criteria,” the spokesperson told News.com.au.
“Eligible contestants on all Network Ten shows are considered regardless of race or background.”
This article originally appeared on New Idea.