She was the people's favourite to win The Bachelor's heart and even Nikki Gogan's ex-fiance felt a "little sad" to see her dumped by Richie Strahan on national television.
Tim Verlinden, 36, from Northam, WA, told Fairfax Media on Friday that although he was hurt by Gogan, 28, calling off their 12 year relationship less than a year before she began filming the reality TV show, he didn't feel like it was "karma" that she was sent packing by the Perth-born rope technician, 31.
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"I'm certainly not happy with a few comments from her and her family, but I don't wish any [bad] karma, I'm not like that," Verlinden said.
"I did feel a little sad for her but at the end of the day that show was a big game. We are all led to believe that these girls are either lovely or a bitch.
"Look at Keira [Maguire] we all think she is a bitch. I think she would be the opposite. It's clever editing."
The electrician, who tuned in to last night's finale, said he has no plans to try and rekindle his romance with Gogan now that Strahan has whittled down the bachelorettes from 27 to one.
"No way, that's done and dusted," he said.
The pair are no longer on speaking terms but Verlinden remains close friends with Gogan's brother-in-law Clayton 'Snowy' Robinson, who found fame during his appearance on the home visits for his straight-talking, no-nonsense, true blue manner.
![Even Nikki Gogan's ex-fiance Tim Verlinden was 'sad' to see her dumped by The Bachelor Richie Strahan on Thursday night.](/web/20161023232340im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/i/4/g/l/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.grhy3d.png/1474008311662.jpg)
Verlinden remarked on how awkward it would have been if he was still living in the house that he once shared with the real estate agent as it beside her aunt's house, where Gogan took Strahan to meet her family.
"We officially lived in our house 7.5 years, right next door to where they did 'meet the parents'. Imagine if I was still there?" Verlinden said with a laugh.
![Gogan's ex said he has no plans to rekindle his romance with her now that The Bachelor Richie Strahan has chosen Alex Nation.](/web/20161023232340im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/g/l/s/l/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.grhy3d.png/1474008311662.jpg)
To much surprise, Strahan overlooked fans' favourite Gogan, despite their WA upbringing and her down-to-earth demeanour, and instead "followed [his] heart" to choose single mother-of-one, Alex Nation, 24, from Melbourne.
There was an outcry on social media with some labelling Strahan an "idiot" and likening him to The Bachelor season two star, Blake Garvey, who proposed to Sam Frost and then dumped her for second runner-up, Louise Pillidge.
![The was a national outcry when Strahan chose Nation.](/web/20161023232340im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/h/g/7/p/image.related.articleLeadNarrow.300x0.grhy3d.png/1474350560008.jpg)
"Richie's an asshole," said one on Twitter. Added another: "This is like that year on The Block when no one got any money."
"You can follow your heart straight to hell Richie," another wrote.
Even former Bachelorette Sam Frost expressed her confusion, tweeting: "What is happening?"
But Verlinden believes Strahan has chosen correctly, saying: "He chose the girl he loved."
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