Mike Puru isn't happy about being dumped as host of The Bachelor after two seasons.
Mike Puru isn't happy about being dumped as host of The Bachelor after two seasons.
Mike Puru says he "disappointed and a little angry" after being dumped as host of The Bachelor NZ.
In a tell-all with The Spinoff, he also says he wasn't allowed to eat the cast and crew's catering during filming, so would "sit in the corner" on his own with a packed lunch.
Puru hosted two seasons of The Bachelor on TV3, the first of which resulted in a successful relationship between Art Green and Matilda Rice.
Mike Puru admits he's disappointed at being axed as host of The Bachelor.
The second season was more controversial, when Jordan Mauger chose Fleur Verhoeven but dumped her just a day after the finale aired on TV.
He later admitted having more chemistry with runner-up Naz Khanjani, who revealed during interviews the pair had slept together during their time on the show.
Mediaworks confirmed last week that Dominic Bowden would replace Puru as host of the show's third season, due to screen next year.
Puru told The Spinoff it was his second axing from a Mediaworks production in two years after his exit as The Edge co-host was made to seem like it was his decision.
He is still employed as the host of daily chat show The Cafe alongside Mel Homer on TV3.
"They sat me down and said 'let's cut to the chase: we don't need you as Bachelor host next year'," he said.
"That's the thing. It's embarrassing. It makes you look like a failure, and that's the hardest thing for me to deal with really.
"The reality is that MediaWorks, for the second time, have dumped me."
Mediaworks is yet to respond to a Herald request for comment.
Mike Puru during his time hosting The Bachelor.
Puru also said because he was a Mediaworks staff member, he wasn't allowed to share catering provided for the cast and crew.
"You'd sit in the corner by yourself with your little packed lunch. But once they were all back into filming, you could walk past and take some bits and pieces," he sad.
He also said filming the show was a lonely and isolating experience.
"Nobody comes out and says 'are you doing okay? Is there anything you like or don't like? You just stand there on your own."
Dominic Bowden will host the third season of The Bachelor NZ.
At last week's new season launch, Bowden said he was a Bachelor superfan, and would return home from his base in Los Angeles to host the show.
