The Bachelor star Holly Kingston has spoken out after being sensationally called the C-word by her co-star Stephanie Lynch on Thursday’s episode.
The 27-year-old said on Monday she ‘didn’t think she had any issues’ with Steph, who called her a ‘c**t’ twice behind her back but later denied it.
Holly told New Idea: ‘I knew I hadn’t done anything to Steph. It was confronting to hear, because I honestly didn’t think we had any issues.’
Having her say: The Bachelor star Holly Kingston (pictured) has spoken out after being sensationally called the C-word by her co-star Stephanie Lynch on Thursday’s episode
She said she tried to distance herself from the negativity in the mansion, and instead focused all of her attention on pilot Jimmy Nicholson, 32.
But that proved to be difficult, with a trailer for Wednesday’s episode showing him choosing Steph for a single date – without knowing about the name-calling.
‘Jimmy prided himself on being a good judge of character, so I think one-on-one time is vital for him with all the girls – Stephanie included,’ Holly added.
‘Would I have picked her? After what transpired, probably not.’
Shocked: The Bachelor viewers were left outraged on Thursday as Stephanie Lynch (centre) called Holly the C-word – but denied it at the cocktail party when confronted
During Thursday’s tense episode, Stephanie insulted Holly behind her back while she was on a date with Jimmy, branding her a ‘c**t’ and saying spending time with her would ‘be like eating nails’.
Steph later called her the C-word a second time at the cocktail party in front of her friends – but left viewers spewing by denying it when confronted by Holly.
‘Stephanie knows what she said,’ one wrote, while another added: ‘Other people heard it why aren’t they piping up? She also said it earlier in the day no?’
‘People are honestly this jealous and toxic? Babe why?’ a third fan raged, while another chimed in: ‘How are these women so cruel on camera when they know it’ll be on national TV?
‘If I was the Bachelor I want to know about this kind of toxic behaviour so I could send them home!’
‘Oh please! Of all the contestants, you’re most likely to have said it Steph. Now you’ve been caught out,’ another viewer added.
During the shocking insult session, Stephanie told some of the contestants: ‘So Holly’s a c**t.
Fuming: Viewers were left outraged at her comments and denial, and took to social media to share their shock over Stephanie’s behaviour
‘I can barely tolerate 10 minutes with her, so having to spend an entire day with her would be like eating nails.
‘I still can’t believe she was touching his a**e in front of everyone for us all to see, just all over him. It was just gross.’
She went on to cackle at the prospect of Jimmy sending back his beloved pet dog to the house instead of her, saying: ‘That would be a much happier addition to the house.
‘I actually think she might be the first person to come back from one-on-one time without a rose and without a kiss.
‘That would just be a bucket of cold water on her stupid head.’
While one of the ladies called her out on her words, she bit back: ‘My parents taught me that honesty is the best policy!’
When it was later revealed that Jimmy had asked Holly for a brief chat at the cocktail party – despite spending all day together on a date – Stephanie blurted out once again in front of everyone: ‘What a c**t’.
Rude: During the shocking insult session, Stephanie said: ‘I can barely tolerate 10 minutes with her, so having to spend an entire day with her would be like eating nails’
Tense: Holly looked furious as Stephanie walked into the party, as she prepared to confront her about her choice of words
When confronted by Holly at the cocktail party, she said in disbelief: ‘I didn’t call you a c**t.’
‘I did hear it,’ Brooke Cleal responded. ‘And I did think it was really mean.’
‘When did I call her a c**t?’ Stephanie bit back.
Speaking to producers, Holly later says: ‘Hand on heart, I do not have a recollection.’
But when speaking to one of the girls outside alone, Stephanie utters the words: ‘Isn’t she kind of one, though?’
The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7:30pm on Channel 10
Drama: Later, when speaking to one of the girls outside alone, Stephanie uttered the words: ‘Isn’t she kind of one, though?’