So Australia, we’ve officially got our brand new Bachelor for 2020, former Survivor star Locky Gilbert.
If you’re wondering who the bloody hell this tall, dark and handsome man is, you’re not alone.
While Locky, who first graced our TV screens in 2017 on Australian Survivor and has returned for the All Stars season earlier this year, is hugely popular among die-hard Survivor fans (trust us, there are loads of ’em), he’s not hugely well known to most of the Australian public.
In fact, Locky is so under-the-radar – well, if you call 45,000 Instagram followers under-the-radar – that when he was first announced as the Bachelor, he still had his personal email address listed in his Instagram profile. So adorably naive! The poor bloke had no idea his Gmail was about to get absolutely flooded.
Eagle-eyed fans may have gotten a hint that Locky was Ten’s pick for the coveted role, because back in February, he told NW that he’d definitely be up for being 2020’s Bachelor.
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“I’d love to give it a crack,” he admitted.
So, apart from starring on Survivor, who exactly is this guy?
Keep on scrolling to meet your new Bachie and find out.
Locky showing off his trademark smile and solid beard growth.
(Image: Instagram)
Swoon!
(Image: Channel 10)He’s a professional adventure guide
Locky runs a business called Four Elements Adventure, which runs guided tours all over Bali and its surrounding islands.
“Locky has spent countless amounts of days exploring the island, hidden gems and crazy adventures. He has then been able to hand-craft adventure tours that will get your heart racing, adrenaline pumping and change the way you see Indonesia,” reads a description of the company on its Facebook page.
“We offer full day tours all over Bali and surrounding Islands, consisting of hidden waterfalls, snorkelling with manta rays on Nusa Penida, mountain biking through the Baliness jungle, hiking to the top of volcanos, scuba diving through WWII ship wrecks and so much MORE. “
Locky is based in Perth and before the current pandemic, would regularly travel to Bali to run the tours.
His Instagram account is jam-packed with photos of himself, usually shirtless, galloping around Indonesia’s stunning natural wonders.
Looks like the dream gig!
He’s covered in tattoos
Locky has the phrase “Strength & Honour” tattooed across the front of his chest, as well as a map of the world on his left ribs.
On his left bicep is a picture of four playing cards and on his right bicep, a design inscribed with the phrase “You only live once”.
Locky’s tattoos take pride of place on his torso.
(Image: Channel 10)
The map of the world is presumably a reference to Locky’s love of travel.
(Image: Channel 10)He dated one of his fellow Survivor contestants
Brooke and Locky formed an instant connection on Survivor: All Stars.
(Image: Channel 10)Locky and his Australian Survivor: All Stars co-star Brooke Jowett had chatted a bit on Instagram before they met in person in Fiji for the first time last year, but the second they locked eyes on each other, they knew their connection was serious.
“It was instant, like, you’re my person,” Brooke, 27, told TV WEEK in March, when asked about meeting Locky for the first time on the island.
“We’d chatted a bit through Instagram beforehand – nothing crazy, just talking about travel – but I thought he was cute too. As soon as we got there, we were joined at the hip.”
The Melbourne-based personal trainer admits they tried to keep their growing connection “on the downlow, but it was hard”.
“I’d think, ‘Does he like me? Or is just using me [in the game]?'” she said. “And he’s thinking the same about me!”
She added: “But really, I trusted him from the start, and it was nice to have someone who made you feel good and not miss home so much.”
Brooke and Locky tried to keep their relationship private.
(Image: Channel 10)
But they couldn’t hide their attraction for long.
(Image: Channel 10)But once filming wrapped, their relationship didn’t translate into the real world, with the pair based on opposite sides of the country.
“He’s in Perth and Bali, and I’m in Melbourne. His work means he’d want me to go to him, but I won’t leave my family and my dog. I’m also really focused on my career,” Brooke said.
“It’s a lot more difficult in the real world than it was out there.”
While Brooke had thought a “possible reunion” was on the cards, she later admitted she was completely “blindsided” by Ten’s announcement in March that Locky would be the Bachelor, effectively halting all possible plans they had to get back together.
“I was blindsided,” Brooke revealed on the Shameless podcast at the time.
“I had these plans with him and obviously they’re not going ahead. So that’s hard to deal with,’ she said, referring to her Bali travel plans with Locky.
“I do feel screwed over. I do feel hurt, but Locky is just a small part of my story.
Brooke also clarified the status of her relationship with her fellow Survivor star, revealing they were not in an exclusive relationship.
“I must say, Locky and I were not officially dating and I’ve tried to make that as public as I could,” she said.
“But it’s the fact that we had things planned and in my head – maybe not his – I thought something would happen which he disagreed on I guess.”
WATCH BELOW: Survivor’s David Genat plays The Tribe Has Spoken. Story continues after video.
Locky also dated a former Love Island contestant
Well, well, someone clearly has a type!
Before he went on Survivor for the very first time in 2017, Locky dated former Love Island Australia season 2 contestant Jordan Cayless.
The last time they were pictured together on Jordan’s Instagram was January 2019, and a few months later in October 2019, Jordan was revealed as an intruder on Love Island Australia. Locky’s last Instagram photo with Jordan was posted in December 2018.
FYI, she’s now completely moved on from Locky and is dating a personal trainer in Perth, Gerard Majda.
Jordan and Locky dated for about two years.
(Image: Instagram)
The couple pictured during a romantic vacay.
(Image: Instagram)It seems distance has always been a problem for Locky in his previous relationships.
In a 2017 interview with TV WEEK, Locky admitted the pair, who had been dating for a year at the time, were in a long-distance relationship.
“Our relationship has always been away from each other,” Locky said of his relationship with Jordan, revealing the pair met at an Australia Day party in their hometown of Perth.
“This year, both of us have been on seven different trips and not one has been together.”
Locky revealed that while Jordan was”secure” in their relationship, she was still concerned he’d be tempted to cheat.
“She’s a little worried about me,” he confessed on the Kyle and Jackie O show at the time.
“We watched a few Survivors together and she was like, ‘Oh no you’re going to have to cuddle people,'” Locky spilled.
“We had like a cuddling rule, like no touching at the waist and stuff.”
A real-life Lady and the Tramp moment.
(Image: Instagram)And, when asked if he would want to spent the Survivor prize money on an engagement ring, Locky told TV WEEK: “She’d [Jordan] be pretty happy if I did, but I think it would go straight on adventure and starting up a company or something.”
He said locking down a partner and settling down was tricky with his work.
“I know I definitely do [want a family], but the lifestyle I live is really hard,” he explained at the time.
“I know once I have kids, I’m going to have to stop that.”
I want to be the dog in this picture.
(Image: Instagram)He says he’s “terrible” at dating
Well mate, that better be about to change, because you’re about to start dating 20-odd women at once!
When asked last month if he would be open to appearing on a dating show like The Bachelor, Locky certainly didn’t shut down the idea, but admitted he was awful on dates.
“I’m pretty terrible at dating,” he told Perth Now, but said he wouldn’t turn down an offer from Ten.
“I am single at the moment, if the option did come up, it’d be pretty fun I guess”.
It sure will be! We cannot wait to properly meet Locky this year and watch the Bachie drama unfold.
Want more news on The Bachelor Australia? Check out the stories below!
Meet the women set to saunter into Locky Gilbert’s particularly chiselled arms on The Bachelor 2020
Everything we know about our new (and very handsome) Bachelor for 2020, Locky Gilbert
New Bachelor Locky Gilbert reveals the cheeky upside to his extremely tall stature
Lock(y) it in your diaries! We finally have a premiere date for The Bachelor 2020
