He left quite an impression on Sophie Monk during his dramatic debut on The Bachelorette on Wednesday.
And rumoured winner Stu Laundy, 44, has revealed his hopes to break his ‘playboy’ reputation by pursuing true love with Sophie, 37, on The Bachelorette.
The father-of-four, who is an heir to $500 million pub fortune, told The Daily Telegraph on Thursday that he did not take the decision to appear on the show lightly.
Shedding his ‘playboy’ reputation: Stu Laundy, 44, has revealed his hopes to break his ‘playboy’ reputation by pursuing true love with Sophie Monk, 37, on The Bachelorette
‘It’s a risk for someone like me to go on the show, I ummed and aahed a lot but what got me over the line was that I just thought I saw something in Soph,’ he said.
‘When I first met her it was excellent and I really wanted to meet her again, and I had to go through the rigmarole to do it.’
He went on to address whispers surrounding his separation from his estranged wife Rachel.
Risky business: ‘It’s a risk for someone like me to go on the show, I ummed and aahed a lot but what got me over the line was that I just thought I saw something in Soph,’ he said
Dramatic arrival: The wealthy hunk arrived via a helicopter while clutching expensive champagne that he presented to Sophie
‘I’ve been pretty clear that I enjoyed married life with my ex-wife, I enjoyed my children and it wasn’t my decision (to end the relationship),’ he said. ‘I was heartbroken. But you don’t want to be lonely so I’ve been trying to meet someone.’
Stu was among four intruders, including AJ, Paul and Guy, who made dramatic arrivals on The Bachelorette this week.
The wealthy hunk arrived via a helicopter while clutching expensive champagne that he presented to Sophie – much to the dismay of fellow contestants.
The ex files: Stu addressed whispers surrounding his separation from his estranged wife Rachel. ‘I’ve been pretty clear that I enjoyed married life with my ex-wife, I enjoyed my children and it wasn’t my decision (to end the relationship),’ he said. ‘I was heartbroken. But you don’t want to be lonely so I’ve been trying to meet someone’
‘I’ve bumped into you before,’ Sophie said after greeting him with a kiss on the cheek.
A delighted Stu replied: ‘I can’t believe you remember! I was wondering whether you’d remember.’
Stu’s interview comes as a insider recently claimed that the pub mogul has long had his sights set on the former pop singer.
The source told The Daily Telegraph this week ‘He has been obsessed with Sophie for years!’
‘He has been obsessed with Sophie for years!’ A recent report claimed Stu dumped a Channel Nine journalist to be on The Bachelorette
It was previously revealed Stu had attempted to set up a date with the famous blonde on his super yacht last year, but it fell through.
The unnamed source also claimed Stu’s Bachelorette appearance almost never was and that he only secured his spot on the reality series after a friend of his backed out.
‘He (Stu’s friend) considered it, but ended up deciding not to go through with it, but he knew the right guy… The mate suggested that the producers approach Stu,’ they told the publication.
They have history! It was previously revealed Stu had attempted to set up a date with the famous blonde on his super yacht last year, but it fell through
That’s lucky! The unnamed source claimed Stu only secured his spot on the reality series after a friend of his backed out
Stu is believed to have jumped at the opportunity to woo Sophie, with the unknown informant claiming he abruptly stopped dating Channel Nine presenter Samantha Heathwood to make it work.
Samantha was ‘casually dating’ the hunk before he reportedly ghosted her, leaving her baffled – particularly when she later learned of his involvement with the show.
‘He went silent on her, then the next thing he was on the show,’ the friend said.
However, Samantha told Daily Mail Australia otherwise.
‘I definitely wasn’t blindsided by Stu’s decision to join it – we talked about it before it happened. We were NOT ‘casually dating’ at all.
‘Stu and I saw each other in early 2016 but that is ancient history now.’
Like Stu, Samantha already has children of her own and says the pair are now just friends.
Daily Mail Australia previously reached out to Stu Laundy for comment.
Shock split? Stu is believed to have jumped at the opportunity to woo Sophie, with the unknown informant claiming he stopped dating Channel Nine presenter Samantha Heathwood (pictured) to make it work
‘He went silent on her’: Apparently Samantha was ‘casually dating’ the hunk, but was blindsided by news of his involvement with the show
A source on set previously said of Stu and Sophie: ‘While it’s unorthodox, this seemed like the best way to meet her again.’
According to the publication before the show, Sophie was keen to find someone that matched her ‘Aussie Bogan’ style, but was still financially independent.
As the son of legendary pub owner Arthur Laundy, Stu is the heir to an estimated family fortune of $500 million.
He also owns a fleet of luxury cars and a super yacht.
Stu, who is set to make his TV debut as an intruder on The Bachelorette on Wednesday, shares four children with his ex Rachel, who is still legally his wife.
Wishlist: Sophie was keen to find someone that matched her ‘Aussie Bogan’ style, but was still financially independent
Not your average Australian! As the son of legendary pub owner Arthur Laundy, Stu is the heir to an estimated family fortune of $500 million
Stu will be one of four new ‘much older’ hunks entering the mansion, adding to Sophie’s current pool of eligible bachelors, whose ages range from 24 to 35.
In the preview clips for the episode, Stu’s face was never shown, but Sophie appeared pleased by his arrival.
Stu is set to make his appearance on Ten’s The Bachelorette on Wednesday 7.30pm.
One to watch! Stu is set to make his appearance on Ten’s The Bachelorette on Wednesday