Channel 10’s new pilot Bachelor Jimmy Nicholson dated Bella Varelis shortly after placing runner-up on Locky Gilbert’s season
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Pilot James ‘Jimmy’ Nicholson is hoping to find love as Channel 10’s 2021 Bachelor.
And while he’ll have his pick of more than 20 women in the mansion this year, it appears he’s already dated a woman from the franchise.
Jimmy, 31, is believed to have dated Bachelor 2020 runner-up Bella Varelis, 26, shortly after her heartbreaking rejection from Locky Gilbert, 31.
Case of the ex: Channel 10’s new pilot Bachelor Jimmy Nicholson (pictured) dated Bella Varelis shortly after placing runner-up on Locky Gilbert’s season in 2020
Former Survivor star Locky filmed his finale with Bella in July, and she appeared to test the waters with Jimmy in the months that followed.
‘We were chatting and went on a couple dates towards the end of last year, we got set up by a friend,’ Bella told The Wash on Thursday.
She added: ‘He’s a really lovely human, definitely deserves to find love!’
While the rest of Jimmy’s dating history is yet to be revealed, Bella has previously been on dates with other Bachelor stars in the past.
‘We went on a couple dates towards the end of last year’: After being rejected by Bachelor Locky Gilbert (left) in July, Bella (right) dated Jimmy after being set up by a friend
‘He’s really lovely human, definitely deserves to find love!’ Bella only had kind words to say about Jimmy (pictured) to the publication
She was rumoured to have gone on a few Bondi dates with Adam Todd (Becky and Elly Miles’ 2020 Bachelorette season) last year, and was in a brief relationship with Samuel Johnston from Georgia Love’s 2016 Bachelorette season.
Bella and Samuel both share Jimmy as a mutual friend on Instagram. Interestingly, Sam’s brother is a pilot, so that could be how the pair met or became friends.
While Jimmy is looking for love on the 2021 Bachelor season, Bella went Instagram official with photographer beau Will Stokoe in February.
Off the market: Bella went Instagram official with photographer beau Will Stokoe (right) in February after weeks of dating speculation
Reality TV connections: Bella and Bachelorette star ex Samuel Johnston both share Jimmy as a mutual friend on Instagram. Interestingly, Sam’s brother is a pilot, so that could be how the pair met or became friends
Grounded: Jimmy was most recently working as a first officer for Jetstar Australia, but was stood down from his job due to the coronavirus pandemic
Jimmy was most recently working as a first officer for Jetstar Australia, but was stood down from his job due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He told Sydney Confidential he’d signed up for The Bachelor because his career had made it difficult for him to find a long-term partner.
‘I was never in the same spot for too long,’ he explained.
The new Bachelor is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, and has not appeared before on The Bachelorette or any other dating show.
The Bachelor is coming soon to Channel 10 in 2021
Unlucky in love: Jimmy told Sydney Confidential he’d signed up for The Bachelor because his career as a Jetstar pilot had made it difficult for him to find a long-term partner