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 "madea 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."
Secret pact? New Idea reported this week that The Bachelor's Matty 'J' Johnson (right) made an agreement with Laura Byrne (left) before the show started to take her to the end. Photo / Ten
In July, Byrne and Johnson both posted photos of themselves at the snow on the same day - sparking rumours of a secret rendezvous.
While Johnson tagged himself at Thredbo Resort, south of Sydney, and Byrne said she was in Queenstown, New Zealand, fans speculated they could be lying about their location.
Fellow finalists Tara Pavlovic and Elise Stacy were reportedly left fuming and devastated when they found out about the alleged secret.
Byrne had been the clear favourite to win all season and on Thursday Johnson declared his love when he chose her over Elise Stacy in the dramatic finale.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Johnson said he knew Byrne was the one on the first day, and "wished I could have sent the other contestants home at the beginning except for Byrne."
"On the one hand you appreciate there is a TV show being made and you want to be entertaining but at the same time I got what I came for and I don't care," he said.
After presenting Byrne with a diamond ring, he confessed his love for the 30-year-old.
"Laura, I love you," he said, as she burst into tears. "I really do think you are so perfect."
