Locky Gilbert claims he NEVER told heartbroken runner-up Bella Varelis he was in love with her

The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert claims he NEVER told heartbroken runner-up Bella Varelis he was in love with her – and points out a crucial detail everyone missed

He’s been copping backlash from Bachelor fans for telling runner-up Bella Varelis that he was ‘falling in love’ with her, before dumping her. 

But now leading man Locky Gilbert has pointed out a crucial detail that everyone missed. 

Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday alongside winner Irena Srbinovska, the 31-year-old claimed he never technically told Bella he was in love.

Clarifying it all: The Bachelor’s Locky Gilbert claimed on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday that he NEVER told heartbroken runner-up Bella Varelis he was in love with her – and pointed out a crucial detail everyone missed

It came after he dropped the L-word to both of the girls during the two-part grand finale. 

‘I didn’t say that exact same thing. It’s a hot topic at the moment,’ Locky said during the KIIS FM radio appearance. 

Host Jackie O chimed in, cluing on to what Locky was trying to say, saying: ‘When you said “I’ve fallen in love…”

Choosing his words: The 31-year-old claimed he never technically told Bella (pictured) he was in love. He implied that he told Bella he was 'falling in love' with her, but Irena had already won his heart because he had already 'fallen'

Choosing his words: The 31-year-old claimed he never technically told Bella (pictured) he was in love. He implied that he told Bella he was ‘falling in love’ with her, but Irena had already won his heart because he had already ‘fallen’

Locky clarified: ‘Fallen and falling.’

He implied that he told Bella he was ‘falling in love’ with her, but Irena had already won his heart because he had already ‘fallen.’

He later added about his gut-wrenching decision: ‘I was in love with both of them, but they were both two completely different futures.’ 

Gut-wrenching: It comes after Locky brutally dumped Bella for Irena in the shocking Bachelor finale on Thursday night

Gut-wrenching: It comes after Locky brutally dumped Bella for Irena in the shocking Bachelor finale on Thursday night

It comes after Locky brutally dumped Bella for Irena in the shocking Bachelor finale on Thursday night.

Despite telling her earlier in the episode he was ‘falling in love’ with her, he changed his mind and said he could no longer see a future with her.

After having her heart broken, Bella stormed off and said: ‘Can I leave? I’m going.’

Locky is still dating Irena, 31, two months after filming the finale, and they plan to live together in Perth once they’ve finished promotional duties for The Bachelor.

Smitten: Locky is still dating Irena, 31, (pictured) two months after filming the finale, and they plan to live together in Perth once they've finished promotional duties for The Bachelor. The pair are pictured in the KIIS FM studios

Smitten: Locky is still dating Irena, 31, (pictured) two months after filming the finale, and they plan to live together in Perth once they’ve finished promotional duties for The Bachelor. The pair are pictured in the KIIS FM studios