A bombshell has been dropped in the Bachelor Australia after it was alleged the Bachelor made a secret pact with one of the contestants before the show, New Idea reported.
According to the magazine, suitor Matthew 'Matty J' Johnson had previously dated Bachelor contestant Laura Byrne and "made a secret pact that she would go to the finals" - with the duo growing their profile off the back of the show.
The pair allegedly began dating just as Matty found out he'd been chosen as the new Bachelor.
"Matty couldn't pull out [of The Bachelor] because he was under contract and it stated that he wasn't allowed to date in the lead-up to the show but agreed it would be good for their future if they went along with it," a source allegedly told the publication.
"Producers knew they had met before, but didn't know the extent of the relationship."