Exclusive: 2021 Bachelor Jimmy Nicholson reveals ‘I’ve met the one’

In his first interview since stepping into the role of Australia’s next Bachelor, Jimmy Nicholson candidly discusses the reason he signed up for the dating show and why he thinks he’s found “the one”.

This year’s Bachelor, Jimmy Nicholson, sits down with lifelong friend and Stellar features editor Bree Player to discuss why he signed up for the dating show and reveals whether or not he has found “the one”

So, I’ve known you since the week you were born.

Yeah, I was stoked when I found out you were doing my first interview because I thought, Bree will go easy on me.

“Oh no, the tough questions straight up!” (Picture: Steven Chee)

[Laughs] I’m not going to go easy on you… I know your family, I know your ex-girlfriends… speaking of which, you’ve had two long-term relationships in the past.

Did you tell either of them that you were signing on to be The Bachelor?

Oh no, the tough questions straight up! I said to the network that I had one prerequisite and that was to tell my more recent ex-girlfriend because if the roles were reversed, I would want to know. She handled it really well, but asked me to keep her anonymous, which I respect.

What did Sue [Jimmy’s mum] think when you told her?

I put the idea to her and said, “Look, this has come up. What do you think?” She obviously knows my history and that I wasn’t ready to date for a while after coming out of that relationship, so Mum said to make sure I was ready, and I told her I felt certain I was.

She knew I was genuine and from that point on she’s been incredibly supportive and is really invested.

“I spotted a plane when I was on the red carpet waiting to meet the girls and I thought, what am I doing here? I should be up there.” (Picture: Steven Chee)

And what about your dad, Noel?

Once I explained to him what The Bachelor actually was, he was really excited. He said, “These things don’t come up often, so you’ve got to do it.”

Were you prepared for the public interest that comes with being announced as the star of this season of The Bachelor Australia?

I don’t think you can ever prepare for the amount of interest, but I didn’t have my phone when it was announced, which was probably a good thing. I was never going to read into any of the comments and all that kind of stuff because I know that once you’re out in the public eye, you’re open to scrutiny.

People are going to love you and people are going to hate you, I was very wary coming into this that there would be a lot of critics.

Jimmy Nicholson in the new season of The Bachelor. (Picture: Supplied)

Eighteen months ago a young, handsome pilot would have been a very attractive prospect for a woman in search of a husband, but now…

[Laughs] Yeah, less so now. As my mate said, “Oh you’re unemployed.” But I actually got back to work in November and was flying until I went on leave to do this.

And is your intention to keep working as a pilot?

Absolutely, yeah. This is a lifetime career for me. Last year in February, I applied for Qantas international and it was looking really positive and then… [sighs].

But when borders open, you’ll rejoin the friendly skies?

That’s right.

Your mum told me that your sister Tahnee and your cousin Melissa paid a visit to the mansion. What can you tell me about that?

As you know I’m really close to my family, so it was really important to me for my sister and cousin to come in and have a chat with the ladies. I wanted them to meet them, but also make sure they were there for the right reasons.

Jimmy Nicholson with his family last September. (Picture: Supplied)

Was that playing on your mind when you were getting to know the girls – wondering who was there for a meaningful relationship versus who was there because they wanted social-media followers and an invite to the birdcage next Melbourne Cup?

At the beginning it was in the back of my mind, and it can really get to you. I think I’m a pretty good judge of character and I feel like I got it right. Of course things happen along the way – there is going to be some drama this season.

How did you handle that?

Most stressful situations in my life happen at work, such as the flight simulator, and you study in order to prepare for that. But going into this experience there is no guidebook or rules.

I just thought all I can do is just be myself and I said to the girls from the get-go, “I’m going to be honest with all of you so if you can also be honest with me, please. I’m not here to waste your time and I hope that is how you all feel, too.”

Was there ever a moment where you thought, what the hell have I signed up for?

[Laughs] Yes, day one I spotted a plane when I was on the red carpet waiting to meet the girls and I thought, what am I doing here? I should be up there.

Jimmy Nicholson features in this Sunday’s Stellar.

You’ve come out the other side and I have to say you look pretty happy…

I am. I’ve met someone I’m really, really happy with.

Is it love? Can I expect a wedding invite in the future?

It’s love… things are going well. We’re spending lots of time together and I believe I’ve met “the one”.

Looking back to those first couple of weeks, could you have imagined the outcome that you have?

I want to say no. But at the start I was trying to find my feet, not be a nervous wreck in front of the girls and all of that kind of stuff. The attraction was definitely there from the beginning, but it was towards the end that I knew she was the girl for me.

The Bachelor Australia is coming soon to Network Ten.