Bachelor 2022 star hits back at shock Facebook posts: 'Not who I am'

One of the new Bachelors has been forced to respond to controversial Facebook posts he allegedly wrote about a decade ago after they resurfaced online.

Channel 10 announced Jed McIntosh had been picked as one of the suitors on this year's season of the reality TV show, alongside basketballer Felix Von Hofe and restaurant manager Thomas Malucelli.

The 25-year-old drummer and songwriter, however, was embroiled in scandal this week when posts made in 2011, when Jed was about 14-years-old, were leaked by a Twitter user, So Dramatic! reports.

In one post, Jed appears to discuss rape while in another he admits to laughing at year 12 students "getting pissed" and "having a perv" on a female teacher.

In another, he spoke about "smashing p*ssy".

After the screenshots of his posts emerged, Jed denied any recollection of writing them and told Yahoo Lifestyle in a statement he was "shocked" when he saw the posts.

"These posts are from over 10 years ago and I don't have any recollection of making them," he said.

"Anyone who knows me knows this is not who I am.

"As a kid, we say things not understanding the gravity of the language used but I can adamantly say as an adult I do not agree with the use of language and sentiment of the posts.

"I have the utmost respect for women, am a strong advocate for assault victims and would never want to cause any harm or hurt to anyone."

Three suitors a Bachelor world-first

The introduction of three leading men searching for love is a world-first for The Bachelor franchise.

Yahoo Lifestyle revealed Jed was invited to be part of the show at the last minute, with a source saying they were worried Felix and Thomas weren't quite 'edgy' enough or different to previous leads.

"And after seeing girls are now falling for rock stars and tattooed punks thanks to Kim Kardashian's relationship with Pete Davidson and Megan Fox's romance with Machine Gun Kelly, they wanted to jump on this trend and get someone alternative," the source said.

“Historically the Bachelor is meant to be groomed and polished to perfection, but this year they've thrown the rule book out to try and appeal to as many people as possible.”

Despite his tough boy exterior, Jed has been described as “a sensitive man with a very big heart”.

He says that he isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd and has come onto The Bachelor in the hopes of finding a woman who is “confident, passionate, empathetic, and ready to commit”.

“A woman willing to find love on a public platform is the confidence I need in a partner,” he says.

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