The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert is forced to axe FIVE women in one night

The Bachelor’s mass boning: Locky Gilbert is forced to axe FIVE women in one night after coronavirus fast-tracked production

The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert was forced to be ruthless when it came to cutting women at the rose ceremonies, after the COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked production earlier this year.

According to New Idea, the former Australian Survivor star, 30, sent five women home in one night because producers had encouraged him to ‘speed things up’. 

‘When coronavirus forced the show to shut down, there were 15 girls remaining and producers broke the news to Locky that he had to do a mass cull that night and send five girls home on the spot,’ an insider claimed. 

Claims: The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert was forced to be ruthless when it came to cutting women at the rose ceremonies, after the COVID-19 pandemic fast-tracked production earlier this year 

They added: ‘They had to basically shut up shop immediately and to try to maintain some control, they wanted to focus on the top 10 going forward as it was already going to be difficult to coordinate them all over Zoom.’

The source claimed that Locky was devastated because he hadn’t spent a lot of time with all the women and ‘was worried he may send home the love of his life’.

‘He was stressed and freaking out about it as he barely had any time to consider his decision,’ the insider alleged.

Difficult decision: According to New Idea the former Australian Survivor star, 30, sent five women home in one night because producers had encouraged him to 'speed things up'

Difficult decision: According to New Idea the former Australian Survivor star, 30, sent five women home in one night because producers had encouraged him to ‘speed things up’

In March, on-site production was suspended and the women were forced to leave the mansion due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The remaining contestants continued to go on ‘virtual dates’ with leading man Locky during lockdown.

The wider narrative of the coronavirus pandemic will ‘form part of the story’ of The Bachelor’s eighth season, according to Channel 10 bosses. 

Whittling down: 'When coronavirus forced the show to shut down, there were 15 girls remaining and producers broke the news to Locky that he had to do a mass cull that night and send five girls home on the spot,' an insider claimed

Whittling down: ‘When coronavirus forced the show to shut down, there were 15 girls remaining and producers broke the news to Locky that he had to do a mass cull that night and send five girls home on the spot,’ an insider claimed 

The cast and crew returned to the Bachelor mansion in Oxford Falls, Sydney, in the first week of July. 

As a result of the interruption, Channel 10 has been forced to air shorter episodes of The Bachelor this season.

The network and producers Warner Bros. were left with a dearth of footage as a result of the lengthy filming break.

Fans have complained that the episodes are much briefer than last year’s, and producers also seem to be stringing along the drama by using cliffhanger endings.

The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel 10

Locky's choice: The source claimed that Locky was devastated because he hadn't spent a lot of time with all the women and 'was worried he may send home the love of his life'

Locky’s choice: The source claimed that Locky was devastated because he hadn’t spent a lot of time with all the women and ‘was worried he may send home the love of his life’