Furious Bachelorette fans have complained about Charlie Newling’s ‘disturbing’ and ‘possessive’ behaviour towards Ali Oetjen on Thursday’s episode.
Outraged viewers expressed their frustrations on Twitter, accusing the 31-year-old of being ‘controlling’ and ‘scary’, and even claiming he was trying to ‘gaslight’ Ali.
After he was kicked off the dating show for demanding an ‘exclusive’ relationship, one viewer tweeted: ‘Charlie, you disgust and terrify me in equal measures.’
‘You disgust and terrify me’: The Bachelorette viewers have slammed Charlie Newling (pictured) for ‘gaslighting’ and ‘controlling’ Ali Oetjen during their hometown date on Thursday
‘So thoughtless and irresponsible’: One viewer tweeted that Channel 10 acted ‘irresponsibly’ by not warning viewers of Charlie’s ‘triggering’ behaviour
Several fans criticised Channel 10 for not warning viewers about Charlie’s troubling behaviour, which included him refusing to let Ali meet his family until she agreed they were an ‘exclusive’ couple.
‘So thoughtless and irresponsible of Channel 10 not to warn viewers of the gaslighting and emotional manipulation they were about to witness. To those triggered and affected – be gentle with yourselves,’ one viewer tweeted.
Another wrote: ‘Charlie just literally frightened the hell out of me. He’s scary and intimidating.’
Shocked: Ali Oetjen (pictured) was horrified by Charlie’s possessive behaviour on the show
Backlash: One viewer tweeted during Thursday’s episode: ‘Charlie just literally frightened the hell out of me. He’s scary and intimidating’
Ouch! Another added, ‘Charlie is everything that’s wrong with men in one horrific package’
‘I am having an emotional reaction to this’: A handful of Twitter users claimed that Charlie’s behaviour was ‘triggering’
A handful of Twitter users claimed that Charlie’s behaviour was ‘triggering’ and brought up painful memories from the past.
‘Seriously, I am actually having a pretty visceral, emotional reaction to this,’ one viewer tweeted.
‘I know that seems bizarre, but honestly, watching this is a little triggering. I wonder if any other women are reacting the same?’
Another posted: ‘Holy s**t. How controlling is Charlie? How demanding and intense. How many red flags do you all see?’
A similar comment read: ‘Charlie is everything that’s wrong with men in one horrific package.’
Even the show’s makeup artist Audrey Griffen, who is married to host Osher Günsberg, called out Charlie’s behaviour.
‘I’ve never ever yelled at the TV so much before!’: Even the show’s makeup artist Audrey Griffen (right), who is married to host Osher Günsberg (left), called out Charlie’s behaviour
She wrote on Instagram: ‘I’ve never ever yelled at the TV so much before! Ever. It was a good teaching moment as Georgia [her teenage daughter] was watching with me.
‘I told her to run as fast and far as she can if she ever finds herself in a similar situation!’
In the comments section, Audrey further claimed that she believed Charlie’s behaviour constituted ‘gaslighting’.
‘The gaslighting! As someone who’s been lit before, it’s good to be able to recognise it and point the behaviour out to my daughter!’ she wrote.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Charlie Newling and Channel 10 for comment.
Reality TV villain: On Thursday’s episode, Charlie (pictured) was sent home by Ali after his possessive behaviour made her feel uncomfortable
On Thursday’s episode, Charlie was sent home by Ali after his possessive behaviour made her feel uncomfortable.
After making it to hometown week, he refused to let her meet his family unless she committed to an ‘exclusive’ relationship with him – despite there still being three other men left in the competition.
He told her: ‘I need to share something with you. My cousin, my auntie and her partner are where we were going to go tonight for dinner… But, it just didn’t feel right so it’s not going to happen.’
As Ali looked horrified, Charlie continued: ‘I need to know this is 100 per cent real and right. And to do that, I just feel we need to be exclusive.’
Shocked: After making it to hometown week, Charlie refused to let Ali meet his family unless she committed to an ‘exclusive’ relationship with him – despite there still being three other men left in the competition
Ali was shocked by Charlie’s unreasonable request.
She later said: ‘What the f**k?… This is intense. Charlie is rearing his ugly head again and to be honest, I’m sick of it… I’m p***ed off.’
During the nightly cocktail party, he reiterated that Ali’s involvement with the other contestants – Bill Goldsmith, Taite Radley and Todd King – was ‘not right’.
‘You can call it unfaithful and in here it’s The Bachelorette,’ he said. ‘I want this more than anything but to know there’s other people involved it kills me. It eats me up.’
Ali explained that she wanted a partner who was willing to fight for her and see the experience through until the end – but Charlie refused to cooperate.
‘What do want me to do, Ali? I’m not gonna beg for you. I’m got gonna go, ”Please, don’t go, please don’t go”,’ he said.
Ali eventually sent him home, saying: ‘Know that I’ll be thinking of you. Bye.’
The Bachelorette continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10
Demanding: During Thursday night’s cocktail party, he reiterated that Ali’s involvement with the other contestants – Bill Goldsmith, Taite Radley and Todd King – was ‘not right’. She eventually decided to send him home