The Bachelor’s brunette bombshell Bella Varelis was smitten with Locky from the moment she locked eyes with him, but the 25-year-old was hiding a tragic secret which almost saw her ripped away from the mansion.
WATCH: First look: Locky Gilbert on The Bachelor
Speaking with New Idea, Bella reveals her grandfather had fallen ill just before filming began, and says she was close to dumping Locky, 31, and leaving it all behind to return home to her family.
“Prior to going into The Bachelor mansion, my grandfather got diagnosed with dementia and lung cancer,” Bella says. “He had been given a while to live, but it was in the back of my mind knowing that he could pass at any time.”
Bella admits she thought about ditching the competition to see her grandfather, but says Locky was supportive. “Although [my grandfather] gave me his blessing to go on the show, family means a lot to me, so I would have wanted to be there for them.”
Bella adds: “It was so beautiful seeing how Locky comforted me through this emotional roller-coaster – he really showed me a gentle, caring side of him that I hadn’t seen before.”
The brunette stunner has been pinpointed as one of the show’s frontrunners from the very beginning as sparks flew between Locky and Bella when they met at the mansion for the first time.
Dressed in a stunning gold gown with her brunette locks hanging loose, Bella made an impression on the handsome Bachelor instantly who confessed: “Sorry I just got lost in your eyes.”
Bella then gifted Locky with a heart pin and placed it on his sleeve so that he “can always remember to wear [his] heart on [his] sleeve.”
And we’re expecting big things as Locky adds “It felt very right with Bella.”
For more, pick up a copy of New Idea. On sale now!
