After three months of extravagant dates, glamorous rose ceremonies and awkward group dates, The Bachelor Australia finale finally arrived.
Tonight’s finale episode was set in idyllic New Caledonia, and as always, we were looking forward to seeing how the girls fared meeting the parents!
The family meet-and-greet went about as well as expected: Nick’s loved ones grilled Sophie Tieman and Brittany Hockley about their potential futures with the Honey Badger.
But it was when the former rugby player told his family: “Bloody hell, my head’s all over the shop,” in front of Brittany that things began to unravel.
Nick’s sister Bernadette was quick to call it. “I don’t see either one as the complete package for him,” she said.
It seemed Nick’s family was wondering where Brooke Blurton was!
WATCH: Nick talks about his break up with Brooke with his family. Post continues…
We were a bit confused at this point because Nick’s interviews and voice-overs implied he was completely smitten with both women.
“She makes me feel things I haven’t felt… ever,” he said of Sophie.
“It just feels right, it’s like bangers and mash. They just go together,” he added of Britt.
After both girls met Nick’s family, it was time for Sophie and Britt to have their last single date with Nick.
During Sophie’s date, the pair’s chemistry was undeniable, however when the 25-year-old poured her heart out to Nick, his reaction was unusual.
Rather than communicating, well, anything, all Nick could do was passionately kiss her.
Nick used the same tactic for Britt during their final date.
“I have zero doubt I am falling in love with you,” Brittany said. “I don’t want it to stop.”
Rather than kissing her, Nick looked at her and said: “I want all the same things you do.”
“But,” he said. “But, I just don’t know if the timelines match.”
Britt was very confused – he had just told her she was the “whole package” yet it was obvious he wasn’t sure.
“Don’t try and find a reason for it not to be what it is,” she said.
When it was time for Nick to make his decision, Sophie was optimistic; Britt wasn’t expecting a good outcome and Nick looked like he was about to throw up from nerves.
As Osher told Nick it had been a pleasure going on this journey with him, we waited with baited breath for an answer.
Who was going to get out of the car first?
Sophie. It was Sophie.
He told Sophie he “wholeheartedly couldn’t commit to her right now” and that their journey had come to an end.
They made a gorgeous couple but in the end, Nick’s feelings for Sophie just weren’t strong enough.
Which meant that Britt would be the second woman to meet with Nick, and – just like on every other season of The Bachelor – Nick would profess his love for Britt… right?
When Britt arrived, Nick had this to say: “I’ve developed strong feelings for you Brittany and when I say those three words, I want to really mean it. I’m not looking for a girlfriend; I’m looking for a life partner. I can’t give 100 percent of myself to you.”
“My head is very cloudy. I’m a little bit lost. And because of that, I have to say this time has come to an end and to let you go,” the Badger concluded.
Brittany couldn’t quite believe what she was hearing.
Sophie was devastated, Britt was angry and we couldn’t believe what we were watching.
As usual, we saw a shattered girl leave in a car in tears, but the difference this time was that both girls returned to their cars shattered and alone. It was in the car that the producers revealed the most shocking twist of ALL TIME to Britt.
He had chosen no one.
Nick Cummins dumped both Sophie Tieman and Brittany Hockley!
Opening up about his explosive decision, Nick said he was simply following his heart.
“I just know in my heart, I’ve done the right thing,” he explained. “They are two amazing women who are walking out of my life right now. It wouldn’t be fair to enter into something and a few months later, break her heart.”
“I came here for a chance at love and now I’m going to have to start again.”
Angry and confused, Britt was driven to see Sophie to break the news to her.
WATCH: Britt tells Sophie about Nick’s shock decision. Post continues…
“What a giant waste of time that was,” Britt fumed. “We both put our heart on the line for it to be thrown in our face – for this.”
“Are you f—ing me?” Sophie gasped in disbelief. “I feel sorry for him.”
“Do you know what, it’s Nick’s loss,” Britt said.
As for Nick, the last time we see him is when he’s wandering alone on the beach. “I came here for a chance of love. And now, I’m going to have to start again. She’s out there,” he pensively mused.
While we can completely understand their devastation and feel a little cheated ourselves, we actually applaud Nick for his brutal honesty.
It takes guts to do that and we have no doubt the backlash has come thick and fast post-finale.
We guess Nick’s decision shouldn’t come as too much of surprise, during last night’s episode Nick confessed he was struggling to grow feelings for anyone.
“I need more time to advance my feelings,” the Badger explained to Brooke before she walked out.
Adding: “I’m struggling feelings-wise with everyone at the moment. I think as we get down to this part, I’m challenged by it.”
“First of all, having three girlfriends is already a strange concept. To then have myself develop feelings further with three people is confusing … It hurts my heart because it’s not normally how it would take place. I’m finding it hard to break past barriers. I’m struggling for those feelings to move on, with everyone,” Nick concluded.
The truth of the situation is that Nick came onto a reality TV show to find love and unfortunately, he didn’t.
And tonight, he’s given us the most refreshing and honest piece of television in recent memory.
For that, we applaud you Nick.
