Bachelorette star clarifies ‘I love you’ Instagram post: ‘I’m so sorry’

After setting the internet alight with an Instagram post on Tuesday, Bachelorette star Bec Pressing has cleared up rumours about her relationship status with fellow contestant Carissa Croft.

Many believed the pair had announced they were dating, with Bec writing in her caption that she loves Carissa and “can’t imagine” life without her.

“Words cannot express how much you mean to me,” she captioned a beach selfie. “To think I’ve only had you in my life for five months is insane, because I can’t imagine it without you now. I love you to the moon and back.”

The 30-year-old has now shared a follow-up post in response to the public’s reaction and clarified that she and Carissa are not romantically involved.

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“I’m so sorry to disappoint you all. At this stage, Carissa and I are just very close friends. She’s going off to work on yachts, so my previous post is a gesture of my love and appreciation for her and our friendship after saying our goodbyes,” she wrote.

“Timing doesn’t always work out, but you never know what the future holds and I will be forever grateful to have her in my life. See you in 3 months bb.

“I encourage everyone to openly celebrate, love and appreciate those close to them.”

Bec's comments come shortly after she told Yahoo Lifestyle that it never crossed her mind to try and flirt with other people on the dating show besides Bachelorette Brooke Blurton.

“It wasn’t the reason why we were there. We were all there for Brooke and it was really important that we got to know her,” she said.

“I definitely think post-show, I would be surprised if nothing happened between any of the contestants, but there was nothing within the house that happened.

“There were some really strong connections in the house and some really strong friendships which I guess may bloom into something else down the track, but everyone was really focused on Brooke.”

Although it wasn’t featured on TV, the pair’s social media posts from the experience highlight that they had a strong connection in the mansion.

They took a number of cute snaps together during Bec’s final cocktail party, which have since been shared on Instagram.

“Obsessed with you,” Bec captioned a gallery of selfies together, while Carissa wrote on her post: “Endlessly grateful to have met this one.”

Similar to The Bachelor earlier this year, contestants are locked out of their Instagram accounts from the show’s premiere up until three weeks after their elimination.

Bec evidently only recently re-gained control of her social media, while Carissa’s account is still being managed by Channel Ten.

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