Reality TV

Secret flames, Instagram liking sprees and conquering COVID: Is Locky Gilbert still with Irena Srbinovska?

It's been a season riddled with scandal and drama - but can true love conquer all?
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Just when we thought Nick “The Honey Badger” Cummins was the most controversial Bachelor to grace our screens, in walks one Locky Gilbert.

While the 30-year-old former Survivor star claims he’s ready to settle down, his behaviour off-screen has many fans scratching their heads.

From brazenly flirting with women on Instagram after filming for the show wrapped, to that wild night out with MAFS star Aleks Markovic and claims of a secret girlfriend – Locky certainly hasn’t been acting like a man in love.

So, what’s the deal – are Locky and his leading lady Irena Srbinovska actually still together? Keep reading as we round up all the clues which do in fact suggest they’ve defied the odds and are going strong….

Their declarations of love on Instagram following the finale

In the moments after the finale, both Locky and Irena made it very clear that they are still together, and still very much in love.

Sharing a sweet pic of the pair to her Instagram page, Irena wrote: “I got the man of my dreams and I couldn’t be happier. I love you so much.”

Meanwhile, Locky also updated fans with a loved up post, captioning it with a message of adoration for his girlfriend: “I have always listened to my heart and it has lead me to this point.”

He continued: “As hard as it was to say good bye I was also saying hello to my future wife, baby mumma and best friend. I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you. Here is to one crazy adventure and so so many more with you babe.”

Locky was adamant with media they were still together

In a fresh interview with New Idea, the adventure man told the publication he and his Bachie girlfriend are “110,000 per cent in love.”

And the gushing didn’t stop there with Locky admitting he couldn’t wait for Thursday night’s grand finale of The Bachelor so he and his chosen one can finally go public.

“Excited is an understatement. I cannot wait. I am beyond excited to be able to finally say it out loud… who I have chosen to spend the rest of my life with. I’m so happy and all I want to do is tell people how great she is,” Locky says.

“It will be amazing [after Thursday] to just be in public together and have a normal relationship. It seems small, but I can’t wait to just go for a walk together and grab a coffee.”

“I’m over the moon and can’t wipe the smile off my face. I couldn’t be happier and can’t wait to share it with the world.”

Fair enough, spoken like a man in love!

Conquering COVID

With the COVID-19 pandemic throwing the filming of the show into disarray and forcing the cast and crew into lockdown when they were just three weeks into filming in early March, this year’s season of The Bachelor has been dramatic to say the least.

Thankfully, the show was able to return to filming in July.

However with neither of the show’s two front-runners Bella Varelis, who is based in Sydney, and Irena Srbinovska, who lives in Melbourne, living in the same city as Perth-based Locky, their post-show romance had to be carried out over long-distance means until state boarders re-open.

“We talk on the phone all the time. We were on a call for three hours this morning and five hours yesterday,” Locky revealed to WHO Magazine of keeping in touch with his Irena.

Long-distance love: Locky, who is based in Perth, said he’s been keeping in touch with the winner on the phone.

(Image: Channel 10)

Channel 10’s surprise statement

As rumours of Locky’s reported wandering eye reached fever pitch last week, Channel 10 broke Bachelor protocol and for the first time in the show’s Aussie history, issued a statement confirming the couple were still together.

“Locky and his chosen lady are still together and very happy,” the network clarified.

READ NEXT: The Bachelor’s final four ladies shock confessions about their relationship with Bachelor Locky

In a surprise move, even Channel 10 have come out and backed their Bachelor and his relationship.

(Image: Channel 10)

Want more goss on The Bachelor finale? We’ve got you covered!

Bachelor frontrunner Irena Srbinovska shares a surprising link with another iconic winner from a previous season

Meet the Gilberts! We look at our Bachelor Locky’s colourful family life

A nurse and a nature fiend: We pinpoint the exact moment Locky and Irena fell head over heels for each other

An insider just revealed a Bachelor finale twist so big it will make the Honey Badger’s ending sound like a walk through the roses

All the clues which suggest Bella Varelis doesn’t win The Bachelor, despite being pegged as a front-runner from the first episode

Meet all the women sauntering into Locky Gilbert’s particularly chiselled arms on The Bachelor 2020

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