RIP! Stu Laundy and Sophie Monk's love story, in pictures

A look back at the way they were.

Jan 26, 2018 9:00am
By Bella Brennan
Love is officially dead.
Just six months after falling in love on this year's series of The Bachelorette Sophie Monk has confirmed her whirlwind romance with publican Stu Laundy is done and dusted.
Taking to Instagram on Friday, the 38-year-old said she gave the relationship her "best shot" but it simply "didn't work out."
"I don't know how to explain this because it's an unusual circumstance to be in," the post began. "But because I entered this relationship so publicly, I know I owe an answer to Australia about my personal life."
"I went into this experience looking to settle down and start a family," she continued. "I gave it the best shot I could and my intentions were everything I said I was looking for, but unfortunately it just didn't work out."
"As much as I respect him, we are just very different people," she wrote in the early-morning post. "There were no contracts or pressure to stay together whatsoever from anyone and we remain friends."

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Their road to romance started away from the cameras when the former popstar-turned-actress-turned-radio-presenter-turned-reality-TV-star was asked out by the millionaire pub owner.
Soph turned him down because she was "too hungover" but really, she just thought he was a "douche."
But Stu refused to take no for an answer and instead of just calling her up and asking her out a second time, he chased her to the ends of the earth by signing up to be an intruder on The Bachelorette, 2017.
Yep, Stu Laundy and Sophie Monk's love story on The Bachelorette was anything but conventional and from the beginning the odds were stacked against them with persistent speculation their relationship was a showmance.
"I think because they expect us to be almost making out, like the show. We are very affectionate when the cameras aren't around. He's got kids as well, we're not going to be all over each other," Sophie insisted over their lack of public PDA.
Break-up rumours reached fever pitch after frosty photos emerged of the couple fighting during their Christmas break in Canada and it looks like that was to be their final public outing together.
As Sophie and Stu announce their sad split, we look back at their romance in happier times!
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Stu Laundy made one hell of an entrance when he stepped out of this helicopter with a bottle of champers in hand.

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He may have been an intruder, but Sophie Monk had already crossed paths with him a year earlier and recognised him straight away.

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You really can't argue with a helicopter, a tux and champagne. Well played, Stu. Well played! Relive their reunion in the player below. Post continues!

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Proving age is just a number, the 45-year-old won over Soph with his schoolboy charm.

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It didn't' take long for the father-of-four to score a single date...

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And a hole in one, straight to her heart.

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"Through this [experience], I feel more for Soph every day," Stu told TV WEEK of his growing feelings.

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He might be a motormouth when they make out but Sophie found it hilarious.

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Despite reports, the third-generation publican insists he's not a playboy.

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"I certainly haven't dated like I was dating for Australia," he confessed to The Daily Telegraph.

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The Sydney local wanted to be with Sophie since she stood him up on a date in 2016.

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It was a huge gamble entering the show as an intruder and it's a risk that played on his mind a lot throughout the series.

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"I've been married, I've had kids. And, just like the other guys, I've put everything on the line. This may be the biggest gamble of my life, but I'm here to chase happiness," Stu revealed to TV WEEK. Watch Stu's brother recap The Bachelorette! Post continues...

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But his roll of the dice paid off and for six month, Sophie and Stu gave it their best shot.

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"He's very down-to-earth. I actually misunderstood who he was when I first met him and judged too quickly," Sophie said at the time.

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A lot of their romance has played out on big, big boats.

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The couple take in Sydney Harbour on Stu's very own boat. It was a full circle moment for the pair as this was the same vessel he invited Sophie on a year ago - but she bailed because she was too hungover.

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The whole nation was rooting for them but it wasn't meant to be.

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Even when put to the test, they were perfect on paper.

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"I'm in love – 100 per cent," the 37-year-old said at the time.

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And the feeling was clearly mutual, with Stu admitting he'd fallen hard for the former Bardot babe.

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Soph worked her charm on the Laundy crew during home visits.

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Stu's pub baron dad Arthur was Sophie's biggest fan.

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Kissing in the rain... on a boat... It doesn't get more Notebook-inspired than this!

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They really did look good together.

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RIP, Sophie and Stu. It's going to take us a while to get over this.

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