The Bachelorette Australia 2018: Get to know some of Ali Oetjen’s suitors

DAMIEN

At 42, Damien is the oldest suitor of the bunch. Despite being married before – he has a teenage son – it hasn’t put him off tying the knot again.

“I loved calling her [his first partner] ‘my wife’,” he says. “So I’d love to have that feeling again with the right person.”

TODD

If Todd makes it to hometowns week, there’s one person Ali will certainly have to impress: his mum.

The sales representative says she’s very protective of her youngest and only son, and describes himself as a bit of a “mummy’s boy”. But there’s a heartbreaking reason behind their special bond. Todd, 26, didn’t have the chance to meet two of his five sisters, because they died before he was born, just years apart.

“It’s one of my biggest regrets,” he tells TV WEEK. “Because of what happened, Mum has always been quite protective of me. It will always affect her, and it does hurt to see her at Christmas and on their birthdays. They’re never forgotten.”

In spite of his family’s tragedy, Todd has fond memories of his childhood spent with his three other sisters.

“I was a life-sized Cabbage Patch doll,” he says with a laugh. “It was all dresses, make-up… I think that’s why I’m more of a feminine type of bloke. I don’t mind getting my hands dirty, but I definitely love a facial and a pedi!”

DAN

Dan was your typical teenager – until he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 19. Not wanting to accept the reality of his illness, he spent much of his 20s unwell – leading him into anxiety and depression.

It wasn’t until he fled to London in 2016 that he realised he needed help. “I was in a bad place,” he says. “I realised I needed to turn my life around. I didn’t want to become a statistic; I didn’t want to make a stupid decision.”

Now Dan, 32, is much more positive about the future.”I’m proud of how I’ve handled myself,” he says. “I’m finally learning how to love myself again. And The Bachelorette is easily one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

ROBERT

Robert is pretty traditional when it comes to marriage.

“I want to only do it once and do it right,” the Melbourne plumber, 29, says.

“I’d rather be 40 when I get married for the first time than rush into it.”

TAITE

You’ve got to give it to Taite – he’ll go to great lengths for love. The bank manager, 28, has already appeared on First Dates Australia and is now hoping to woo Ali.

“I’m looking for someone who makes me laugh,” he says.

BRENDAN

Events manager Brendan has little to no experience of dating, having married his high school sweetheart of 11 years during his 20s. Now that he’s been single for two years, Brendan, 29, is able to reflect on some valuable lessons.

“It takes two to make a relationship or marriage, but only one to break it,” he says.”Being a stereotypical male, I wanted to do everything to make it work. But if someone doesn’t want to be with you, you just have to suck it up.”

Brendan hopes Ali can heal his broken heart.

And having appeared on TV before, he should have no problem acting himself in front of the cameras. The then-newlywed hunk appeared on The Block in 2012 with his ex – but they were knocked out during the elimination rounds. “It was an absolute laugh!” he says.

CHARLIE

If Sydney builder Charlie, 31, could pick one person to play him in a movie, it’d be Bradley Cooper – and there’s no doubt they both have good looks!

“I’m ready for love,” he says. “I know what I want and I’m ready to let my guard down.”

BILL

Melbourne plumber Bill, 31, confesses he’s a sucker for love.

“I have a habit of giving my heart over too quickly, which generally sets me up to have it broken,” he says. Let’s hope Ali will fix it!

PADDY

Cheeky Geelong gym manager Paddy describes his last relationship as the “wake-up call” he needed. “I was young, dumb and immature,” the 27-year-old says. “I made some wrong decisions that I regret every day.”

DANIEL

Personal trainer Daniel, 30, has never been in love. But he’s hoping this will serve as a new chapter.

“For too long I’ve been living life on a solo ride,” he explains. “It’s time to open myself up and let someone in to fall in love with.”