Warner Bros. is reportedly going to extreme lengths to keep the ending of The Bachelorette a complete surprise.
On Wednesday, fans were left stunned by a photo that showed the program’s two male finalists in Fiji, making it seem as if Ali Oetjen has ended up heartbroken and alone.
But now, a source close to the show has told Daily Mail Australia that it was all an elaborate rouse created by the production company in the hopes of tricking viewers and media outlets alike.
Did Warner Bros STAGE this photo of Taite and Todd in Fiji? An inside source told Daily Mail Australia on Monday that desperate Bachelorette producers flew finalists Taite Radley (left) and Todd King (right) overseas in order to make it look like Ali Oetjen is still single
The source told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday morning: ‘Warner Bros flew both finalists (Taite Radley and Todd King) to Fiji to make it look like they were both filming Bachelor In Paradise.
‘It was an attempt to make everyone think that Ali is still single, but actually she is still with the winner and they are very much in love’.
The source claims the stunt was done in a ‘desperate bid to boost ratings’.
Elaborate rouse: According to the source, Ali is still with her winner and the pair are ‘very much in love’
Wednesday night’s penultimate episode of the season garnered a measly 618,000 metro viewers.
In contrast, the same episode of Sophie Monk’s season in 2017 drew in 1.21 million metro and regional viewers.
On Tuesday, New Idea published a photo of Taite and a man they claimed was Todd at Nadi International Airport.
Now, it seems the two men were paid by producers to take the trip to Fiji – and that one of them is still very much in a relationship with Ali.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Ten for comment.
Winner? Bank manager Taite Radley is tipped to win Ali’s heart
Dark horse? Ali has been seen getting affectionate with finalist Todd King
It also seems Ali herself is under instruction from producers to keep viewers guessing as to the state of her relationship status.
While most Bachelors and Bachelorettes always confirm if they have found lasting love before the finale airs, Ali refused to do so when asked last month.
In a recent chat with The Courier Mail, Ali dodged the question when asked if she has found love.
‘I’m very happy. I just feel at peace, calm and content, it’s very nice. I can’t really hide that I’m very happy,’ she said.
‘Ali’s clearly in love with Taite’: Former Bachelorette contestant Bill thinks Taite (pictured) is Ali’s choice
Earlier this week, former contestant Bill Goldsmith hinted that Ali will choose Taite as the winner.
‘Ali’s clearly in love with Taite,’ he told NW on Monday.
After recently watching the entire season back on television, Bill said he was shocked to see Ali and Taite’s bond and the deep conversations they’ve had on the show.
‘She’s pouring her heart out to Taite,’ he said.
‘When I saw her saying [all that stuff] to him, I was like ‘holy s**t!”
In happier times: Ali formed a relationship with Grant Kemp, but the couple split amid allegations of a cheating scandal
Ali first rose to stardom on Tim Robards’ season of The Bachelor, followed by Bachelor In Paradise – where she formed a relationship with Grant Kemp.
Grant later claimed that Ali is not girlfriend material because she supposedly ‘cheated’ on him with his friend in Los Angeles.
Ali is yet to publicly deny the cheating allegations.
The Bachelorette finale airs Thursday at 7:30 on Channel Ten
Way back when:Ali first rose to stardom on Tim Robards’ season of The Bachelor in 2013