The Project’s Lisa Wilkinson grills Matt Agnew about his steamy relationship with Abbie Chatfield

Matt Agnew shared several hot and heavy moments with Abbie Chatfield before brutally dumping her in the Bachelor finale.

And Lisa Wilkinson grilled the scientist on the sincerity of his steamy relationship with the 23-year-old property analyst on Friday’s episode of The Project.

The 52-year-old veteran journalist hit Matt with the hard and awkward question: ‘Your making out with both Chelsie and Abbie was full on. So was the stuff with Abbie insincere?’ 

As his as chosen love Chelsie McLeod tensely listened to his answer, the astrophysicist answered: ‘No, it wasn’t insincere. There was very real feelings there and there was a very real connection [with Abbie].’ 

‘And while for me I was figuring out, and had obviously Chelsie was my choice kind of earlier on, [the decision] wasn’t kind of categorical for me. 

Ouch! Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) hit Matt with the hard and awkward question: ‘Your making out with both Chelsie and Abbie was full on. So was the stuff with Abbie insincere?’

‘It was not a case of playing a role’: As his as chosen love Chelsie McLeod listened, the astrophysicist answered: ‘No, it wasn’t insincere. There was very real feelings there and there was a very real connection [with Abbie]’

He explained: ‘To do the right thing, to make sure I completely explored every opportunity, I needed to make sure I conducted with real authenticity and be really genuine in the moments I shared with whoever I was with. 

‘So it was sincere, it was not a case of just doing what I needed to do, or playing a role,’ he added. 

Earlier on The Project, Lisa and the panel spoke to Abbie Chatfield about her time on the show and backlash she’s received.

Bachelorette 2020: Earlier on The Project, Lisa spoke to runner-up Abbie Chatfield (pictured) and said she she was ‘leading the charge’ for her to be the next Bachelorette 

Abbie said: ‘With the trolling and everything, I’ve had one of my really good friends monitor my Instagram. She’s been deleting anything particularly horrible.’

She went on to add that she was ‘leading the charge’ for her to be the next Bachelorette and asked ‘would you do it?’

‘I would certainly give it a go,’ she said and continued: ‘That is such a compliment. Thank you so much.’

Lisa, boasting her clout with the network, added: ‘The bosses at Channel Ten watch this show.’

 Next in line for love? Lisa boasted her clout with the network and said, ‘The bosses at Channel Ten watch this show’