The Bachelors finale: Ex-rugby player Luke Bateman chooses Geraldton’s Ellie Rolfe, pair trades ‘I love yous’

Geraldton’s Ellie Rolfe knew going on The Bachelors would be a gamble, but the risk paid off in the sweetest and romantic of ways: with declarations of love between her and ex-rugby player Luke Bateman.

Bateman was one of three bachelors vying for love on the latest season of the reality TV dating show.

In the finale this week, Bateman chose Rolfe over single mother Lana.

Bateman confessed to Rolfe: “I once told you that I have only ever felt like this for someone before twice in my life. I now realise that was a lie. Ellie, I’ve never felt the way I do for you for anyone else ever before.

“When you walk into the room everything else fades to grey. I am completely in awe of you, the way you speak, the way you move, the way you exist. I don’t think you’ll ever understand exactly how wondrous you are in my eyes.

“I have no idea how someone so utterly breathtaking could be interested in a simple and unremarkable man like me. I plan on spending the next 60 years, give or take, trying to figure it out. My darling Ellie Louise, I love you.”

Rolfe responded with an “I love you” of her own, as the bachelor-no-more gave her a ring — not the engagement kind, just a memento of his love.

The Geraldton woman said hearing the words “I love you” from Bateman was “the best feeling the world” and her heart was “exploding with happiness”.

And their relationship continues to thrive away from the cameras.

On their Instagram accounts on Thursday, the pair continued to gush about the other.

“If you believe in magic, you will find it! Worth the 29 year long journey to my perfect fairytale with you,” Rolfe posted.

Bateman wrote: “I hope you all enjoyed watching our love story begin and the small glimpse into what will be an amazing lifelong adventure together that I am so excited for.”

Fellow bachelors Ben Waddell and Wesley Senna Cortes were not quite so lucky in love. Waddell announced on Instagram he and his chosen lady Mckenna Lea were no longer together, while Senna Cortes and his final choice Brea parted ways in the finale.