It’s the hit Channel Ten dating reality show on which Sophie Monk will attempt to find love for keeps.
And it appears that a front-runner has already emerged ahead of The Bachelorette premiere on Wednesday – Stu Laundy.
Despite not being in the official cast photo published by Channel Ten, Stu is widely believed to be a contestant on the show after he was photographed on a filmed group date in July.
Is it him? It appears that a front-runner who ticks all of Sophie’s romantic boxes could have already emerged ahead of The Bachelorette premiere on Wednesday – Stu Laundy
Adding fuel to the fire, Stu is 44 and Sophie, 37, had previously said that she was after a ‘silver fox’ with a minimum age of 30.
Of the 18 hopefuls featured in the official photo, eight are in their 20s with the youngest being Apollo and Harry who are both 24.
Sophie has previously said she is looking for someone with a few more years under their belt.
Appearing on The Project in April, Sophie revealed that her ideal man would be aged 30 at the youngest.
Intruder? Despite not being in the official cast photo published by Channel Ten, Stu is widely believed to be a contestant on the show after he was photographed on a filmed group date in July.
‘Is there an age limit to the men you’re looking for?,’ panellist Steve Price asked Sophie.
She replied: ‘They asked me that and I went ‘I’d like 30 because getting younger is a bit weirdo.’
However, she did go on to reveal that a younger suitor wasn’t a definite deal breaker.
Age limit: Adding fuel to the fire, Stu is 44 and Sophie, 37, had previously said that she was after a ‘silver fox’ with a minimum age of 30.
‘You never know,’ she said. ‘If you meet someone lovely, you meet someone lovely.’
Expected to enter the show as an intruder, given he didn’t appear in the cast photo, Stu had also been previously linked to Sophie.
Stu, who is the son of legendary pub owner Arthur Laundy and heir to an estimated $500 million fortune previously told Confidential that he met Sophie in 2016 and asked her on a date on his yachts, with the intended rendezvous falling through.
Too young? Appearing on The Project in April, Sophie revealed that her ideal man would be aged 30 at the youngest
The publication also reported that Laundy was allowed a chance to compete on the show after Sophie lifted the age limit from 35 to 45.
A source claimed that Stu was so taken with the former Bardot star at their first meeting that he jumped at the chance to try his luck a second time.
‘While this is unorthodox, this seemed like the best way to meet her again,’ the source claimed.
Familiar: Stu, who is the son of legendary pub owner Arthur Laundy and heir to an estimated $500 million fortune previously told Confidentia l that he met Sophie in 2016 and asked her on a date on his yachts, with the intended rendezvous falling through.
The publication also reported that Stu is the father of four daughters with ex-partner Rachel.
Fans of the show have taken to social media to criticise producers for casting young suitors.
One fan summed up the sentiment, commenting: ‘I don’t understand why they’ve cast 25 year olds when the Bachelorette is 37? surely they should have had some silver foxes in the mix.’
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Network Ten for comment.
Last minute? The publication also reported that Laundy was allowed a chance to compete on the show after Sophie lifted the age limit from 35 to 45