He won the heart of the Bachelorette, Ali Oetjen, but in a devastating betrayal set to shock fans, WHO can reveal that Taite Radley never wanted to be the last man standing in the dramatic finale.
Having concocted a secret plan to push the pretty blonde into the arms of Todd King, Radley was so confident in being runner-up that he had already begun negotiations to become the next Bachelor.
Watch former Bachelor Sam Wood talk about the success of the show in the player below.
“Taite is a fantastic manipulator,” says a production insider.
“He only ever wanted to make it to the final two. He made it very clear from the start that while he knew winning the show is good for your public profile, becoming the heartbroken reject who gets a second chance is even better.”
Not keen on playing second fiddle in the spotlight to unlucky-in-love Oetjen and having only applied to be a contestant for fame, the handsome reality star spent weeks playing up to the cameras portraying himself as the perfect match.
On the outside, Radley appeared to have it all – good looks, a stable job in finance with no baggage, having simply joined the show to find the love of his life to share it all with.
And Oetjen was smitten from the start and despite having had her heart broken in the past, she had no doubts that she could put her trust in the 28-year-old bank manager from Melbourne, who she believed was on the show to find love.
“The guy worked in a bank,” says the source.
“Out of everyone on the show, she believed he had the right intentions and that she could trust his word.”
But in truth, Radley had applied for numerous reality shows and was known on set as one of the “most fame-hungry contestants” they had ever met.
“He often called meetings with crew to make sure they knew he was playing the game and was happy to be steered in whichever direction they needed the show to go in,” shares the insider.
“He was amicable and saw himself as part of the team to win ratings.”
But just days before the emotional ending, “He started pushing her away,” says the insider.
For more on Taite’s story, pick up the new issue of WHO.
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