Last night’s episode of Bachelor In Paradise saw three people call it quits (is that a record?), including former professional soccer player Michael Turnbull. Michael had his heart set on Lisa Hyde, who, in turn, had eyes only for contestant Luke McLeod. But just one day after the dramatic episode aired, Australia learnt the popular pair had called it quits after Luke was caught cheating.
So, this all begs the question: Does Michael think Lisa picked the wrong man?
“Totally! I could have saved her all the drama,” the 37-year-old tells marie claire. “Hindsight it is a wonderful thing. Lisa obviously felt the connection with Luke and she had to follow her heart and I support that, but it is just a shame how it turned out and I hope Lisa is okay.”
After his surprising exit, we chatted with Michael about heartbreak, regrets and the possibility of becoming the next Bachelor.
When did you make up your mind about leaving Bachelor in Paradise?
I made it up literally 10 minutes before I walked out. So, I had my chat with Lisa and she delivered the bad news and I was like, “Yep, I fully respect that and you and Luke—I wish you all the best”. At that point, I was like, “It is time for me to leave”. I was getting exhausted and they didn’t show it but I actually gathered everyone together and had a chat to the group. We had a bit of a cry and hug and I left on really good terms with everyone, jumped in the car and drove off into the sunset.
Up until that point, had Lisa given you any hints that she was keen to pursue something with you?
We had a chat before the rose ceremony—before I decided to give my rose to Lisa—and she said a couple of things that made me think there was sort of an opportunity. She said, “You do what you need to do, follow your heart and you know I think the world,” and I guess once I gave her the rose she reassessed.
I think the world of both those guys and I am sad to hear that it didn’t work out with them this morning, that’s a bit of a shame, but I don’t regret it. I did what I had to do and it just didn’t work out.
Do you still keep in touch with Lisa?
Yeah I do, I speak to her regularly and we are still really good friends. But is there any romantic potential there? I think we definitely are in each other’s friend’s basket and I am happy with that because we get along so well and I am happy to be friends with her. But we definitely do talk and communicate a fair bit.
Did you think about waiting a little bit longer in paradise for the right woman to come along for you?
The thought did cross my mind and to be honest I was hoping a girl from the American series came in, like the American guys did. I was thinking, if I stuck it out one more day, would someone from the American series walk in? But you know what? I could have waited around there for another week and still no one walked in.
There was a lot of drama in paradise, did the fighting wear down on you?
Yeah, for me at times it felt like I was at high school. There were catfights at lunchtime at the canteen and I was like, “Yeah this is not what I’m really looking for”. I get that there is drama, but for me I was one of the oldest guys in there, in paradise, and if I have an issue I will chat about it, not just storm off and fight. It got to me and that was one of the reasons why I did leave because I don’t like to stay in this environment, it’s just not me.
We’ve heard about there being a group chat with all the Bachelor In Paradise contestants. Can you tell me about that?
I can confirm there is a group chat, and it does get pretty hectic at times. It is a good way to stay in touch and obviously there is always drama and differences of opinion, and there has been even in the group chats. So, without going into too much detail, there is a whole bunch of drama that is going on behind the scenes and I think you start to see more as to why that is in the upcoming episodes. It does get pretty heated.
Are you guys watching episodes and debriefing in the group chat?
Totally. Saying, “I didn’t know you did that,” or, “How could you say this?” It’s pretty funny. Now that I am out, I get to watch it because I don’t know what happens from here on in. I am just watching it with the rest of Australia to see.
If you were approached to be the next Bachelor, after Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins, would you be interested?
We have certainly had some discussions about that and it is one of those things I would have to sort of think about. But I figure they do owe me a girlfriend, maybe I’ll just go crash the Honey Badger and be an intruder Bachelor next season and see if I can steal one of his girls!
And lastly, are you still single?
Yes, I am. I am taking some time out to sort of dusting off from the show and see what sort of plays out. There have been some conversations but we will see what happens in the future.
RELATED: Bachelor In Paradise’s Lisa Hyde Opens Up About Her Split With Luke
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