They may have left The Bachelor Australia and The Bachelorette Australia mansions broken-hearted, but tonight Australia’s favourite singles returned for a second chance at love in the romantic, funny and dramatic season premiere of Bachelor In Paradise.
First to arrive on the island was lovable larrikin Timm Hanly, runner-up for Bachelorette Angie Kent’s heart last year.
Next to step out into the sun was runner-up to Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor Australia, the outspoken and confident Abbie Chatfield. She made it clear that there was only one guy she had her eyes set on in Paradise: Bachelor Ciarran Stott.
Following Abbie’s arrival was Helena Sauzier, who last had a case of cold feet at her hometown date with Bachelor Matt Agnew.
Radiographer and podcaster Brittany Hockley took the Paradise count to four, keen to put the heartbreak of not being picked by Nick ‘The Honey Badger’ Cummins behind her.
Following Brittany was conga line enthusiast and Paradise veteran Brittney ‘Lit-ney’ Weldon, whose arrival had the rest of the cabana in hysterics.
Singles from last year’s series Glenn Smith, Niranga Amarasinghe and Mary Viturino were next up, before a blast from the past, Janey Birks from Richie Strahan’s season of The Bachelor Australia made her entrance.
The suave Jake Ellis sauntered next into Paradise, but his stature and fresh hair fade had him initially mistaken for fellow Bachelor Jamie Doran.
Tattooed Englishman Ciarran Stott followed Jake, sans clothes with a strategically placed bunch of grapes placed in front of his privates. Already pining for his arrival, Ciarran’s bare backside sent a nervous Abbie into overdrive.
With Cassandra Mamone eager for a second shot at love and Jamie Doran keen to ditch his clingy persona, these two rounded out the first batch of guys and gals.
As the singles settled in to let Paradise do its thing, the girls discussed Timm exceeding their expectations, and poor Brittney reminded everyone that after three stints on reality TV, she was yet to receive a date. Meanwhile Ciarran lapped up the female attention to Abbie’s dismay, as he put in the moves towards Cass.
Cue host Osher Günsberg, who revealed that the first date card was a special night away for a lucky trio. With his name on the card, Timm’s chose the two Britt’s.
With those three away, the remaining singles were invited to a Bachelor In Paradise world first: a Bula Banquet, a group dinner with a side of anonymous questions to learn more about each other.
After establishing who had slid into each other’s DMs ahead of Paradise, eldest single Jamie’s not-so-anonymous question about age limits when dating, soon revealed he may have slim pickings on the island.
Cass was eager to get the tea from Ciarran about his ex-girlfriend Renee , and after some prodding from the group, he revealed it was his infidelity that had ended their relationship.
Back on the date, Timm admitted that he noticed Brittany’s eyes and smile as soon as he saw her and Brittany was keen to explore their connection further.
Mary took the initiative to get to know Glenn better but as soon as she had finished, Helena was quick to swoop in, telling Glenn she only had eyes for him.
Away from prying eyes, Ciarran and Cass flirted up a storm, leaving the others with something to talk about and Abbie seething with jealousy Later, after missing out on a kiss from Cass, Ciarran sought some affection from Abbie.
