Richie's Shock Exit: "I'm Gutted"

Richie was a fan favourite and had chemistry with Sam from early on.

His awkward charm and rugged good looks made him a fan favourite, but it wasn’t enough to win the heart of The Bachelorette Australia’s Sam Frost. In a shock twist, she sent home the Perth rope access technician — leaving dark horse Michael Turnbull and favourite Sasha Mielczarek as her last men standing. WHO caught up with the professional abseiler, 30, after the emotionally-charged rose ceremony to find out what we didn’t see on camera: if he’s ready to date — and his plans to star on The Bachelor.

Congratulations on making it to the top 3. Did you see yourself getting this far?
I never had a game plan. I just felt that Sam and I had built a good enough connection, that potentially I would be the guy who got the final rose at the end.

Did you ever feel like a front-runner in the competition?
I don’t know, to be honest. When we had our single date dressed as old people, I certainly saw a potential for a future with Sam. I didn’t think I was a front-runner, but I just felt like I had something special with Sam and was hoping she had seen enough of me to pick me. But ultimately it came down to her and what she was feeling.

Were you feeling more pressure than usual, going into the Top 3 rose ceremony?
I felt pressure at every rose ceremony, to be honest. I thought I was going home every week!

Did you feel blindsided by Sam’s decision to send you home at this point of the competition?
Not really. It’s Sam’s decision and she’s got the toughest one. We’re both adults. She’s got to do what is right for her — and unfortunately that wasn’t me. I just wanted to respect Sam as much as I could.

Sam said she cried for an hour afterwards. What did you talk about after the rose ceremony?
It was a really, really special moment and it was just nice to sort of have a chat to Sam afterwards and tell her how I felt. I feel the walls I’ve had up from a few of my previous relationships, where I’ve had my heart broken—Sam showed me that I could open my heart again to love and let me be vulnerable.

Did you cry?
I’m a guy. Guys don’t cry! But yeah, look, I was gutted. I was gutted.

"I'm gutted!" said Richie following his exit.

Did you feel like you got to say everything you wanted?
Oh, look, I’m terrible at these situations. Probably not!

What was your limo ride back from the mansion to your hotel room like?
The weirdest feeling! I had to go back to the hotel room and book my flights for the next day. You sit down on the couch and you’re there going, ‘What just happened? Like, ‘Wow.’ I just thought like, ‘Crikey, I just let this amazing girl slip through my fingers.’

When do you think you’ll be ready to jump back into the dating pool?
I just don’t know.

Have you moved on already?
Look, I haven’t moved on yet. I am very private, but I basically came home and I’ve spent most of my time getting out of Perth, going on fishing trips and surfing trips and keeping busy. I’m just trying to get on with my life—spend a lot of time with my family and friends. Have a good laugh. And keep watching the show!

Do you have any regrets about going on The Bachelorette?
Watching it back, I just wish I wasn’t so conscious about how I was going to be portrayed. I feel like I could’ve relaxed a bit more. But it’s very difficult. I’m not used to the cameras and the intensity of the situation. It’s really hard to deal with.

After your exit, who did you tip to win?
Sasha and Michael are both very cool guys with magnetic personalities. Mikey is just an absolute legend, a really humble guy. And Sash is just this incredible bloke. Whoever she picked, she was going to be onto a winner.

Have you been in contact with Sam since the show finished filming?
I wouldn’t even know how to get in contact with Sam! Because you don’t even get their phone number or anything, so I don’t know.

Richie with Sam on their picnic date.

Do you think you will ever be friends?
Absolutely, I certainly would like to be friends with Sam. I would love to catch up and have a chat with her and a bit of a laugh about everything we’ve been through.

What are your feelings towards Sam now?
I have the biggest admiration for her. She is such a strong independent lady. She has so much going for her and is such a beautiful soul. I have nothing but nice things to say about everyone. Everyone was just so friendly and nice!

What’s next for you?
I’m sort of taking a bit of a break from work for a little while, maybe until February, to have a bit of me-time.

Would you consider being the next star of The Bachelor?
That would be so intense for me. They called me for this Bachelorette thing and I just didn’t even expect to do this. It’s something I would have to have a sit-down and a really good think about. Putting myself out there again would be a really big decision for me!