The Diary: Insider shoulder tapped for Bachelor

But nominee says behind-the-scenes knowledge disqualifies him.

Sam Mickell, a former employee of MediaWorks board member Julie Christie, says he has been approached to be the star of TV3 show The Bachelor NZ, but tells The Diary he should be ineligible because he knows what goes on behind the scenes.

Mickell, a 30-something global communications director at Kea New Zealand, worked for Christie as a sponsorship manager at Eyeworks when he returned to New Zealand after living in Los Angeles, where he dated a model. He went on to work for Tourism New Zealand.

"I worked in reality television on a lot of shows," Mickell told The Diary. "I was the locations producer for ABC's The Bachelor where I did the deal on behalf of Tourism NZ. They filmed here and I know all the American producers. I was a locations producer, too, for America's Next Top Model episodes in New Zealand."

Tourism NZ boss Kevin Bowler could not be reached, but a rep said he had worked for the company.

Mickell said he was headhunted by TV3 to be the star of The Bachelor NZ.

"They [producers] got in touch with me about being on it. I think a lot of guys have been approached ... But I am not sure whether they should have ... "

Asked what he meant, Mickell said: "I know how it is constructed, and what goes on behind the scenes. So, I'm not sure I should be eligible."

TV titan Christie says she was not behind TV3 tapping Mickell on the shoulder. She says governance rules prevent her, as a MediaWorks board member, from being involved in the day-to-day operations of TV3.

Christie, the founder of Touchdown Productions, which she sold to Dutch media group Eyeworks in 2006, is a board member of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and MediaWorks NZ. Eyeworks NZ is the production company behind The Bachelor NZ.

Andrew Szusterman, group entertainment content director, says Christie has no role in casting decisions and Mickell has not been selected.

"It's not him. We have not finalised who the bachelor will be yet. Julie Christie is not involved in casting decisions. That is made by Eyeworks and MediaWorks - it is not a board decision."

The Bachelor NZ will follow a group of Kiwi bachelorettes vying for the attention and affection of the bachelor through a series of oversharing dates and cheesy rose ceremonies.

In Millie's corner ...

She's known as the hard woman of boxing, but amateur champ Hurricane Doyle, daughter of Headhunters boss Wayne Doyle, shed tears of joy on Saturday night when Millie Elder-Holmes was unanimously announced the winner of her fight against Frankie Adams.

Wiping away tears, Hurricane showed the immense pressure everyone in Camp Millie was under. Relief and happiness swept over her.

Earlier, the coach and mentor was screaming "Connor, Connor" from the blue corner, providing inspiration when Elder-Holmes' energy was flagging.

Millie Elder-Holmes with her coach and mentor Hurricane Doyle. Photo/ Andrew Cornaga

Elder-Holmes was fighting in memory of her slain boyfriend Connor Morris. She was supported by her whanau, including mum Dr Hinemoa Elder, who looked glamorous in a chartreuse satin sheath.

Connor's mum, Julie, looked equally glam in a long black ballgown.

Her husband, Chris "One Eye" Morris, who was wearing a black shirt with the letters "RIP" on his arm, had grown hoarse. He had been cheering on Elder-Holmes so much his voice had turned raspy.

Frankie and Israel

Wallabies star Israel Folau, 25, emerged from Frankie Adams' private dressing room backstage at Claudelands Arena and caught the eye of NRL super agent Sam Ayoub, whose ward, Willie Mason, was preparing for his bout. Love was clearly in the air, and 20-year-old Adams, who had earlier lost her match in the ring against Millie Elder-Holmes, was taking comfort in the arms of Folau, with whom she's had an on-off relationship this year.

Wearing a sexy, plunging red satin gown designed by her friend Alice Hayes, Frankie, a former fashion model, looked stunning sitting next to Folau at his table after her bout.

Frankie Adams with her mum, sisters and cousin following her boxing match in Hamilton on Saturday night .

They were noticeably absent from the after-party at SkyCity later where all the boxers were in attendance.

Adams was reluctant to discuss her love life. "All I'll say is, Israel was there supporting me on the night."

Israel Folau.

While the pair were happy to pose with their respective fans, they were more coy about posing together. "No, no pics of us," Adams told The Diary.

She was more forthcoming, however, about her fight night experience: "I'm just so glad I did it. It was a great experience and something I will never forget. I'm really proud of myself because it was a huge challenge for me. I don't know how I juggled working such long days on set and then training."

Her family - sisters Julie and Flo-Jo, and mother Lau - were there on the night. Her main crutch, Folau, flew back home to Australia the next day.

Parker off to Samoa

Heavyweight boxing champ Joseph Parker and his Duco reps are jetting to Samoa today to meet the country's Prime Minister and discuss staging an international bout in the island country.

Parker's family are of Samoan descent. His next boxing match is in March, although an opponent is yet to be named.

Shock TV3 changes

The outgoing chief executive of MediaWorks television was not returning calls yesterday, but well-informed TV3 insiders say Paul Maher "is in a lot of pain" following the decision by Group CEO Mark Weldon to restructure his role. A press release announced Maher would be leaving the company, along with Siobhan McKenna, who headed up the interactive division. Their roles have been disestablished.

Well-placed sources tell The Diary that Maher is "wily and will land on his feet". He has an international profile, having worked with Starcom MediaVest Group in Asia before joining TVNZ where he was director of sales and marketing. Friends say he may look offshore for his next executive position. Maher is understood to be shocked and hurt by the decision.

Weldon's changes have rankled some, who say there's been a change in culture in the company.

For more from Rachel Glucina visit tinyurl.com/nzhglucina