MAFS star Ella Ding has responded to rumours she could be this year’s Bachelorette, after being dumped by ‘husband’ Mitch Eynaud at their final vows on Tuesday.
The heartbroken beautician, 27, told Now To Love she was grateful for all the support from viewers – including the online petition calling for her to be the next Bachelorette – but said she wasn’t ready to ‘date 15 men’ just yet.
‘To be honest, I think I’m pretty exhausted,’ she said.
Having her say: MAFS’ Ella Ding (pictured on Thursday) has responded to rumours she could be this year’s Bachelorette, after being dumped by ‘husband’ Mitch Eynaud at their final vows
‘I can’t imagine emotionally investing myself into 15 men right now,’ Ella laughed, adding: ‘I just invested my heart and soul into this [MAFS] experiment.
‘So I can’t answer that right now, but if it comes up later, we will cross that bridge when we get there.’
Meanwhile, an industry source told Daily Mail Australia that Ella could well be the golden ticket that saves The Bachelorette from cancellation.
Could it be? The heartbroken beautician, 27, told Now To Love she was grateful for all the support from viewers – including the online petition (pictured) calling for her to be the next Bachelorette – but said she wasn’t ready to ‘date 15 men’ just yet
The Channel 10 dating show has been losing viewers for years, and ratings fell off a cliff when Brooke Blurton fronted the series last year.
‘At the rate things are going, The Bachelorette only has one season left in it before Channel 10 throws in the towel,’ said the TV insider.
‘Bringing over Ella from Married At First Sight – which is hitting two million viewers for some episodes – would undoubtedly boost ratings. She’s a major fan favourite.’
Open-minded: Ella said, ‘I invested my heart and soul into this [MAFS] experiment, so I can’t answer that right now, but if it comes up later, we will cross that bridge when we get there’
However, 10 would have to pay ‘big bucks’ to get Ella out of her contract with Nine, which may not expire until a year after the show’s finale.
‘Nine won’t give up Ella just like that. They could use her for Celebrity Apprentice, The Hundred [with Andy Lee]or any number of projects,’ said the source.
‘If Channel 10 wants to poach her for [The] Bachelorette, they’ll be paying top dollar to Nine. It would be like hiring someone like Sophie Monk all over again.’
After being savagely dumped by Mitch at their final vows on Tuesday’s of MAFS, fans rallied behind a Change.org petition calling for her to be the next Bachelorette.
The petition is asking Channel 10 to ‘give the people what they want’ and make her the dating show’s new leading lady.
More than 280 people signed the petition within an hour of it going live, and this number grew to 1,500 as of Friday morning.
Dumped: It comes after Ella’s heart was broken by ‘husband’ Mitch Eynaud (left) on Tuesday’s episode of MAFS when he dumped her at their final vows
Ella had told Mitch she wanted to continue their relationship, despite their issues.
Mitch, however, said he wouldn’t be rushed into making an on-the-spot decision about their future, effectively ending things.
‘It’s difficult to see a bright future with you when it seems the longer that we spend with each other, the more difficult the relationship gets,’ the financial planner began.
‘And the more that I realise, maybe I’m not the right person that you’re looking for, or the person that you need.’
Ouch: Mitch, however, said he wouldn’t be rushed into making an on-the-spot decision about their future, effectively ending things
He added: ‘To stand here and be forced to make a decision that I’m not yet ready to make. I’m sorry, Ella, but right now I just can’t give you the commitment I know that you want.’
A tearful Ella replied: ‘Wow. Throwing your own little spanner in the works. I’m not surprised. Making no decision.’
She went on to say she’d given their relationship her all and was devastated Mitch was unable to give her an answer.
Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine and 9Now
Heartbroken: She went on to say she’d given their relationship her all and was devastated Mitch was unable to give her an answer, before walking off in tears