The countdown to the season finale of The Bachelorette Australia is well and truly on.
But Sophie Monk is quick to declare the reality of it all is far removed from the rumours.
“I’m in love – 100 per cent,” she says.
“We’re in the finishing stretch now. It’ll be nice when it’s all over and I can walk down the street with him – just go to Coles and stuff.”
“It will be a relief to just get out and do normal things again,” she says.
While only a few people are privy to the winner’s identity, Sophie admits her radio friends Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O are among those she’s ’fessed up to. In fact, the man who has won her heart has managed to stay a secret to everyone else, including some members of her family.
Sophie says she’s introduced her beau to her nieces and nephews, but gave him a pseudonym when she did.
“I called him ‘Uncle Dave’,” she laughs. “I did it so that if the kids are at school and are asked about it, they’ll have no idea what’s going on.”
While the pair have managed to have a few meetings in secret since filming finished, Sophie says it’s been more than a month since they’ve seen each other.
Instead, they’ve had to make do with phone calls and video chats.
Some men might be jealous to see their girlfriend kissing other handsome lads on TV. But Sophie insists the recipient of the final rose has enjoyed watching her antics every Wednesday and Thursday night – just like the rest of us.
“He’s fine,” she shrugs. “If he’s struggling, I can’t see it. He’s reliable. It’s nice to have someone who’s secure in a relationship.”
Despite having graced our screens for decades, Sophie’s never watched her own work. But appearing on The Bachelorette changed that. The reality star admits she’s among the millions who tune in each week.
“I love this show,” she declares. “I don’t like watching or hearing myself, but I’m really enjoying the show. “I’ll be like, ‘Oh, my God – that was a good episode!’ I had no idea what the boys were doing behind the scenes – it’s great.”
While job offers have been pouring in, Sophie says she’s taking a break from work – and the spotlight – to focus on her blossoming romance.
“I haven’t got the energy,” she explains. “I need a break, and I just don’t want to think about work now.”
Another project she’s put on hold for now is kids. Despite being open about her desire to have a family, Sophie says she knows she and her beau need to work on their relationship first.
“We need to get to know each other before we get straight into it,” she says. “As much as I want to have a baby one day, it’s not right now.”
Once she is ready, though, Sophie says she’s hoping to do things in double time.
“I’d like to have one of my own and then adopt,” the Bachelorette reveals. “There are so many kids out there that I could give a beautiful life to.
For the full story, pick up this week’s issue of TV WEEK.
