Ex-Bachelor addresses Khanh Ong romance rumours

Former Bachelor Matt Agnew and MasterChef alum Khanh Ong have been getting very cosy, with the pair finally responding to couple rumours.

Matt Agnew says physical contact between men needs to be normalised. Picture: Josh Woning

Former Bachelor Matt Agnew and reality star Khanh Ong have opened up about their relationship, putting to bed rumours they are romantically involved.

Agnew, who searched for love on television in 2019, became close with MasterChef favourite Ong two years ago.

Ong, a close friend of Abbie Chatfield who Agnew overlooked for his final rose, slid into Agnew’s DMs on Instagram because “he’s hot”.

“I was in Sydney, 2021 reckon... I remember what it was, the message was ‘woof’,’’ Agnew said in a chat on the Feast podcast with Ong and Sarah Davidson.

“I actually googled it because I was like does this mean something, is this slang.

“It was a fairly organic friendship that developed. The less organic part was that it was brokered on Instagram and DMs but then we just became really good mates. (We have) a lot in common and enjoyed hanging out. Not really much more to add. Maybe much more to people’s disappointment we’re not an item.”

Matt Agnew and Khanh Ong have addressed rumours they’re dating.

Ong, who is gay, said: “We became friends and started having dinners”.

“I think what’s confusing for people at home is it’s not a very conventional gay man/straight man relationship. It would be so normal to watch a movie and we will spoon (Sarah), but when we do it — oh they must be dating if they’re spooning.”

Ong and Agnew, who are both single, have become inseparable and holidayed together late last year which also sparked interest.

Chef Ong said he has been inundated with questions — Are you two in a relationship? Have you seen Matt naked? Are you dating? Are you together?

“We were friends and it got to a point where we were like do you just want to come on the couch and watch a movie and sit and hold hands,’’ Ong said.

“I was missing the companionship. The sex is easy but the company was the hard thing to find so it kind of just worked.”

Agnew said physical contact between men needed to be normalised.

“It’s the lack of affection straight men show other men that people assume there must be something sexual there,’’ he said.

“Being affectionate and tactile with your friends, and blokes especially need to do more of this. Everyone should be comfortable enough in their sexuality that they don’t feel uncomfortable showing affection, men or women.

“There’s that random line in the sand — nah blokes can’t show affection — which is stupid.”

Astrophysicist Agnew added: “Humans are very social creatures. Cuddling is important, that physical comfort, and being able to feel safe. It’s something that is inherently human and not inherently female and that’s the cultural norm that needs to be uprooted. Everyone wants physical comfort and inclusion and it’s definitely something that should be normalised. It helps you mentally feel better.”