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The Bachelor Australia: Fans turns on 'idiot' Richie Strahan after shock finale

Ebony Bowden
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Fans of The Bachelor Australia have turned on Richie Strahan, calling him an "idiot" for choosing single mum Alex Nation during Thursday's finale.

The country collectively gasped when Richie, 31, dropped a bombshell by sending home fan favourite Nikki Gogan who had been all but expected to win.

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The Bachelor: Fans turn on Richie

Following The Bachelor finale, fans have voiced outrage at Richie Strahan's choice.

Fans brutalised Strahan on social media for choosing "the wrong girl". There were demands for a royal commission. Others suggested he had ruined his life.

"Richie's an asshole," said one viewer on Twitter. Added another: "This is like that year on The Block when no one got any money." And this pearler: "You can follow your heart straight to hell Richie."

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Even former Bachelorette Sam Frost expressed her confusion, tweeting: "What is happening?"

Guy Sebastian also weighed in, calling it "more of a robbery than 2003 Australian Idol," referring to his win against Shannon Noll.

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However, there is more than a suspicion that the surprise ending is a classic bait-and-switch from Network Ten, who made it look like Gogan was the frontrunner all along. Ten execs can only be happy with the social media echo caused by the finale, keeping the franchise front and centre of the popular conversation for as long as possible.

Things looked like they would go Gogan's way after both Nation and Strahan were grilled by Strahan's mother Kate, who wasn't impressed with the fact Nation had a five-year-old son, Elijah.

Alex Nation and Richie Strahan after Nation was named the winner of <i>The Bachelor</i> during the season four finale ...
Alex Nation and Richie Strahan after Nation was named the winner of The Bachelor during the season four finale last night. Photo: Channel Ten

Kate chastised Nation, 25, for not explaining the burden she was putting on Strahan, but in the end the rope access technician thought he was man enough to take on the responsibility.

Three months after filming has finished, and Strahan is yet to meet Elijah, although he told Fairfax Media Nation had sent him Snapchats of her son.

Perth-based Nikki Gogan made for a gracious runner up, wishing Richie all the best
Perth-based Nikki Gogan made for a gracious runner up, wishing Richie all the best 

Throughout the season, Gogan and Strahan often spoke about how easily their lives would slot together. They both hail from WA, while Nation lives in Melbourne. But apparently it wasn't enough.

"Richie has ruined three lives. Four if you count his mum," one fan observed.

The bachelor's Instagram has also been hijacked by angry fans telling him he'd made the wrong decision. "Nikki was a much nicer girl with a much nicer heart. Wrong choice with Alex dude."

Fans have already called for Gogan to be made next year's Bachelorette, but the cheerful 29-year-old said she was still too heartbroken to consider dating.

"I am no where near being ready to date again," she told News Corp Australia. "I am not ready to open my heart completely again and to go on the Bachelor or the Bachelorette you would have to be happy with where you are at and ready to open your heart again and I am not ready to do that."

The shock result has left many invested fans asking whether love is even real. Things weren't any better by Friday morning, with photos emerging of defaced newspapers in cafes with Nation's face scribbled out.

This is shaping up to be the biggest controversy since Bachelor Blake Garvey dumped Sam Frost after proposing to her two seasons ago.