Things are getting hot and heavy already on the first season of Australian Bachelor In Paradise.
New Idea can exclusively reveal that Sam Frost’s runner-up Michael Turnbull and Leah Costa, who Matthew ‘Matty J’ Johnson unceremoniously dumped on air, were snapped flirting up a storm last week.
On a water sports date near Mango Bay resort in tropical Fiji, the chemistry was obvious between the unlikely couple.
Wearing a skimpy red bikini, former adult entertainer Leah, 24, couldn’t keep her hands off the shirtless former soccer player as they enjoyed some stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking.
‘Even when the cameras weren’t rolling, Leah was glued to his side, finding any excuses to touch him or snuggle up close,’ an on-set insider tells New Idea. ‘Apparently Leah had her heart set on Michael heading onto the show. She knew that he was one of the most controversial characters and that hooking up with him would guarantee her airtime.’
Joining the duo in Fiji is a string of well-known names from previous Bachelor and Bachelorette seasons, including Laurina Fleure, Keira Maguire and Jarrod Woodgate.
Fans were surprised to see Leah join the cast of Bachelor In Paradise after she went public with her relationship with yet another former Bachelorette villain, David Witko.
The Melbourne-based beauty caused waves on The Bachelor this year with her up-front criticisms of the other girls and ruthless approach to the show.
The the blonde bombshell caused headlines when Matty asked her to leave the mansion after he found out about her work as a topless waitress.
Meanwhile, Michael, 36, managed to get through his season on The Bachelorette, but it was his antics off screen that landed him in hot water.
The real-estate agent was caught out exaggerating his extravagant lifestyle and over inflating his soccer-playing resume.
Despite claiming to have played for the Socceroos in the 2000 Olympics, it turned out he was only named in the squad and never actually set foot on the pitch.
Then, in November 2015, Sam Frost slammed Michael for jokingly telling a TV reporter they were swapping text messages after she had picked winner Sasha Mielzarek.
With Leah and Michael’s sketchy pasts and penchant for drama, one thing’s for sure, it’s going to be interesting.
For all the latest Bachelor In Paradise news and more exclusive pics, see this weeks issue of New Idea – out now!
