‘It’s been challenging’: Bachelorette runner-up Jarrod Woodgate breaks silence

IN A very painful scene, lovesick Jarrod Woodgate had his heart broken during the Bachelorette finale. Here’s how he’s coping.

IN AN excruciating scene, Jarrod Woodgate had his heart broken in front of all of Australia during The Bachelorette finale.

From the beginning of the season, the vineyard owner made it very clear he was madly in love with Sophie Monk, quickly earning him the undesirable title of “stage five clinger”.

MORE: How the finale played out

So when Sophie chose rich publican Stu Laundy over him in the finale, we were all ready for a meltdown.

The exact moment his heart broke ...

But to Jarrod’s credit, he was gracious in his defeat on-screen and has since taken to Instagram to open up about how he’s been coping ever since, promising fans that his “heart will heal”.

“Coming into this I never thought I’d have the opportunity to get to know such a warm hearted, down to earth, hilarious woman let alone fall in love with her,” he wrote in the emotional post.

MORE: Sophie considers freezing eggs to achieve baby dream

“This journey has been the most challenging and exciting in my life so far. Through all the highs and lows all I wanted was to be true to myself.

“Falling in love is such an incredible experience and really is the best feeling in the world. My heart will heal and I wouldn’t change a single moment.

“Sophie, thank you. You’ve helped me to learn so much about myself. Opening up to you and sharing my feelings just felt so natural from our first encounter. I wish you all the happiness in the world, you deserve nothing but love and laughter in your life.”

But if Jarrod is feeling lonely tonight, he can take comfort in the fact that his heartbreaking exit from the show has sparked a bit of a Twitter movement.

Fans have begun a hashtag tribute #PutYourPlantsOutForJarrod in honour of the unfortunate love fern he once gifted Sophie, which sadly died during The Great Piss-Gate of 2017 (and turned out to be symbolic of their love).

A terrible omen.

And it is taking off:

Everybody put your pot plants out for Jarod tonight #BacheloretteAU

— S K (@kokolovesbooks) October 26, 2017

Pot plants out for jarrod #bacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/x0FUfCsl10

— Emil Wiramihardja (@emil_w) October 26, 2017

There are a few broken hearts in this house. #PutYourPlantsOutForJarrod #TheBacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/yEt9Cs3KcN

— Charlotte Willis (@lottiewillis) October 26, 2017

#PutYourPlantsOutForJarrod #BacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/ku6Fv3EH62

— Lauren Payne (@laurenrenaepain) October 26, 2017

#PutYourPlantOut Just a reminder my plant is out for the pot plant man himself pic.twitter.com/i6vsgnacm9

— Adam Monaghan (@MrAdamMonaghan) October 26, 2017

#BacheloretteAU #putyourplantout pic.twitter.com/FNU5lAGb5k

— ghoulish leaker (@georgetweets2u) October 26, 2017

#PutYourPlantOut for Jarrod 🌱😂 #BacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/imkRli3KkL

— Sarah McPhee (@_SarahMcPhee) October 26, 2017

Have I missed a trend? #putyourplantout pic.twitter.com/V5fLq3gGYx

— Ellie D (@EllieDOfficial) November 5, 2015

Never mind, Jarrod. There are plenty more pot plants in the garden.