One post, allegedly recovered from the depths of his Facebook account, read: “To everyone who entered [redacted] … [friend] and myself are gonna rape yas so watch out because there’s a storm coming kids.”
This and other comments had Bachelor fans horrified, with many wondering how Network Ten producers overlooked Jed’s old social media posts.
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Others insisted he was an inappropriate choice for the show, one tweeting: “Seriously, this is the kind of person we’re putting on TV now?”
Jed has now responded to the screenshots, saying in a statement that he was “shocked” by the posts from more than a decade ago.
“These posts are from over 10 years ago and I don’t have any recollection of making them. Anyone who knows me knows this is not who I am,” he said, via the Daily Telegraph.
“As a kid we say things not understanding the gravity of the language used but I can adamantly say as an adult I do not agree with the use of language and sentiment of the posts.”
Jed would have been around 14 at the time the posts were allegedly shared to Facebook and insists he’s come a long way in the more than a decade since.
“I have the upmost [sic] respect for women, am a strong advocate for assault victims and would never want to cause any harm or hurt to anyone,” he said.
While some fans are calling for him to be cut from this year’s triple threat Bachelor line-up, others are worried about what this fresh controversy could mean for the show.
After ratings plummeted with Jimmy Nicholson’s season in 2021, Network Ten introduced the new format in a bid to revive the Bachie franchise.
Only time will tell if the gamble will pay off.
