The Bachelor 2016: single mum shocks Australia

Susannah Guthrie
Sep 15, 2016, updated Sep 16, 2016

Underdog Alex Nation won Richie's heart. Photo: Network Ten

It’s happened again – a single mother has won The Bachelor for a second season running and fans are far from happy about it.

Alex Nation, a 25-year-old from Victoria, was the underdog in the race for Richie Strahan’s heart due to the logistical and emotional difficulties of introducing a new man to her five-year-old son, Elijah.

It was a popular topic of conversation throughout the competition, with Richie regularly ending heartfelt chats with Alex with the less-than-promising observation: “There’s a lot to consider.”

Alex’s increasingly overt displays of affection left viewers off-side and she was deemed “clingy” and “annoying”.

On the other hand, Perth-based real estate agent Nikki Gogan seemed a perfect match for Richie, not least because they were both from Western Australia and shared a love for the outdoors and strong family values.

However, when the final car rolled up, it was Alex who stepped out, not Nikki.

We should have seen this coming. After all, very few women would agree to enter a literal chocolate bath with a man without knowing for certain he was mentally right there with them.

Yes, that actually happened (apparently Alex got an ear infection from it).

We’re sorry you had to see this again. Photo: Network Ten

‘It was a bit of a shock, Richard’

While Richie might have had his heart set on Alex, his concerned mother Kate was thinking something entirely different.

Her disapproval of Alex radiated out of every pore.

“I never, ever contemplated Richie having any interest in somebody who had a child. It just didn’t enter my head,” Kate told Alex, resisting the urge to scream “LEAVE MY SON ALONE”.

I think Alex should have chatted with Richard a little bit more in depth,” Kate told the camera.

“I would have thought a child in the equation is a massive conversation piece.”

She aired these grievances to Richie, whose blank eyes suggested he had tuned out and was already too busy picturing Alex in a bikini.

“Well, it was a bit of a shock, Richard,” Kate told her absentminded son. “This is a bigger issue than you seem to have thought about.”

You know you're in trouble with Mum when she uses your full name. #TheBachelorAU pic.twitter.com/rCLAEMw5qA

— The Bachelor Australia 🌹 (@TheBachelorAU) September 15, 2016

Nikki’s “meet the mother” moment may as well have featured fireworks and cheerleaders because the chemistry was explosive and obvious. Between Nikki and Kate at least.

“When I first saw Nikki come over, I thought, ‘Oh, my goodness, a little whirlwind’,” Kate said.

“I could see Nikki fitting into our family really well. That would please me more than anything,” she concluded, silently figuring out how easy it would be to get an engagement ring flown to Bali on short notice.

Sparks were flying between Nikki and Richie’s mum. Photo: Network Ten

‘My heart is with Alex’

Unfortunately for Kate, her romance with Nikki was cut brutally short by her selfish son, who inconveniently fell in love with Alex.

I was so, so happy when he told me this.#TheBachelorAU pic.twitter.com/KbaIDhM6K1

— Osher Günsberg (@oshergunsberg) September 15, 2016

Nikki was gracious in her defeat.

“I love you enough to … wish you all the very best,” she said, before bursting into tears on the car ride home and breaking Australia’s collective hearts.

Twitter, on the other hand, was not quite so calm. The general response was a flat out “No”.

NOOOOOOO #thebachelorau

— Natalie S (@nataliehope18) September 15, 2016

https://twitter.com/bannakin/status/776373121649479680

Wait
WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED?#royalcommsionNOW #TheBachelorAU pic.twitter.com/H6pcKKN9iw

— Michael Lallo (@Michael_Lallo) September 15, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen I present Australias dumbest man #TheBachelorAU @sportsbetcomau pic.twitter.com/Z1z5oYp2Br

— Stan Mckeon (@stanchez47) September 15, 2016