The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert has reached a rather unusual milestone in his relationship with Irena Srbinovska – calling her correct name.
Locky, who spent months on The Bachelor pronouncing Irena as ‘Eye-reen-ah’, finally referred to Irena using name’s correct pronunciation of ‘Eh-renna’, on Saturday as they embarked upon a romantic trip to Windsor, New South Wales.
Posting to Instagram Stories, the 31-year-old uploaded a video of himself and Irena posing next to a Ducati motorbike they’d hired for the day’s adventure.
What’s in a name? The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert, 31, finally referred to his girlfriend Irena Srbinovska, 31, using the correct pronunciation of ‘Eh-renna’, on Saturday as they embarked upon a romantic trip to Windsor, New South Wales
‘So me and Irena are out on the Ducati, out in Windsor,’ the Survivor star said – pronouncing his ladylove’s name correctly, complete with a European-sounding ‘r’.
As soon as he said her name, a chuffed-looking Locky briefly glanced back at Irena, who gave him a nod of approval.
The pronunciation of Irena’s reflects her Macedonian heritage – of which she and her family are very proud.
Congratulations! Posting to Instagram Stories, the Survivor said: ‘So me and Irena are out on the Ducati, out in Windsor’ – pronouncing his ladylove’s name correctly, complete with a European-sounding ‘r’
In fact, some of Irena’s family members have previously posted videos about the show while using the correct pronunciation.
It’s believed her name is written exactly the same, but the pronunciation on the show is not the ‘real’ intended way for Irena’s name to be spoken
It comes after an insider told Daily Mail Australia that Irena always introduces herself with the ‘eye-reen-ah’ pronunciation, because the correct way is often too difficult for people to pronounce.
Same, but different: Irena’s real pronunciation should be ‘Eh-renna (with a European-sounding ‘r’), instead of the version heard on TV – ‘Eye-reen-ah’
‘She doesn’t choose to go by it and doesn’t like to have to correct people’: Previously an insider told Daily Mail Australia that Irena always introduces herself with the ‘eye-reen-ah’ pronunciation, because the correct way is often too difficult for people to pronounce
‘Not many people call her ‘Ee-renna’ really, because she doesn’t choose to go by it and doesn’t like to have to correct people.’
It’s believed Irena told Locky and the other women in the mansion of her ‘real’, accurate name pronunciation, but for consistency they continued to use ‘Eye-reen-ah’ on screen.
Locky chose Irena as his winning contestant during The Bachelor’s emotional finale episode last month.
Consistency is key? It’s believed Irena told Locky and the other women in the mansion of her ‘real’, accurate name pronunciation, but for consistency they continued to use ‘Eye-reen-ah’ on screen
‘Irena, every time I’m with you… I feel so safe and protected, and it’s kind of weird, ’cause I’m a pretty big dude, and not many people can make me feel like that, but just when I’m with you, I feel so calm and comfortable,’ he told her.
‘When I think about our future together, I’m so excited and I can’t wait to just travel the world and make all your dreams come true.
‘Irena, I’m so in love with you. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.’
Moments earlier, he had delivered the bad news to runner-up Bella Varelis – despite having told her beforehand that he was ‘falling in love’ with her.
Happily ever after: Locky chose Irena as his winning contestant during The Bachelor’s emotional finale episode last month