Farmer Bert is a down-to-earth fourth-generation pineapple and dragon fruit farmer who was looking for love on the 2024 season of Farmer Wants a Wife.
With a heart of gold and a strong work ethic, Bert ran the family farm single-handedly and was ready to find someone to share it with.
Described as honest, selfless, and impeccably mannered, Bert’s ideal partner was funny, outgoing, and someone who understood the demands of his work, which often involves long hours. One potential dealbreaker? Winning over his nanna, whose opinion matters greatly to him.
When asked about himself, Bert revealed he was passionate about motorbikes, ocean-related activities, and learning about different farming methods.
In a relationship, he said he valued acts of kindness over grand gestures and was willing to go the extra mile for his partner, expecting the same in return.
Why did Farmer Bert leave Farmer Wants a Wife?
After weeks of persistent rumours, Farmer Bert left the 2024 season of Farmer Wants a Wife without a potential partner.
“Coming into this experience, I was looking for someone to share my life with. I think all the girls are wonderful, but I don’t have what it takes to be in a relationship right now,” he said during the emotional episode.
“I just don’t have the emotional time to be the person that people are deserving of. That’s the reality of it.”
“Goodbyes are pretty hard for me,” he continued. “It always hurts but I know that deep down that it was the right choice for me to make. I was fully open to the idea of falling in love.”
“The farm never stops taking. There’s always more work to be done. Before I start a relationship with somebody, I want to be happy with the farm, happy with my life, and I guess happy with all of it.”
Farmer Bert spoke with New Idea shortly after his abrupt exit, telling the publication “It’s a pretty difficult process to go through, and definitely not a light choice to make.”
“But my friends and family pointed out to me that I wasn’t overly happy at that point in time.
“I was working some pretty incredible hours and obviously the filming definitely wasn’t light either,” he continued. “I guess it all just became a bit much; along the way I lost a bit of love that I had for the farm, and that was my first priority.”
“I decided it was time for me to step back, and do it in a way that hurt the least people possible,” he added. “The end goal throughout the whole ordeal was to do my best not to hurt anyone; but that’s probably impossible in that sort of scenario.”
His departure from the show came days after Yahoo! Lifestyle reported that an ‘insider’ claimed Bert left the show early due to conflicts with producers.
“Farmer Bert was really sweet and it was sad to see him being treated like a prop,” the source shared. “He no longer felt like he could go on and pretend just for the show.”
“Right time, right place, right person,” Farmer Bert told Refinery29 Australia shortly after the rumours emerged. “I say that a few times in the show, and for me, I don’t see the point of being in a relationship if you’re not fully committed. You’re just wasting each other’s time and it’s not very respectful.”
“If the person is right, I’m 100 per cent in,” he added.
Who is Farmer Bert dating?
After rumours began to swirl that Farmer Bert would be leaving the show, another theory began to collect speed – that Farmer Bert was now dating former contestant Lauren McNeila – who chose to leave the show of her own volition in April.
“(Bert) has gotten closer to Lauren and they have been keeping things quiet,” an insider told Yahoo! Lifestyle.
“I’d say he was fed up with production, and knew he made a mistake letting her leave and was waiting to reconnect.”
Lauren, a 27-year-old behaviour support practitioner from Queensland, chose to leave Farmer Wants a Wife midway through the season after host Samantha Armytage revealed that each farmer’s mother had chosen more women to join the show.
“I’m really struggling,” Lauren told Bert at the time. “This whole process has been really hard for me. I’m not sure I can keep doing it, so I’ve packed my bags. I’m gonna go home. It’s just too much for me.”
A few days after the rumours emerged, Lauren took to Instagram to confirm she was not dating the farmer.
“Hello everyone. Just wanted to make a quick announcement for those that are invested in FWAW,” she wrote.
“Of course, I left the show of my own accord in April, but rumours have been swirling that Bert and I are a couple. I know this will be disappointing for some to hear, but we are not together.”
“Though Bert and I still talk and are friends, we have not seen each other since I left the farm that night. I am still very much single, knowing that my person is out there.”
Whilst he may not have re-ignited his spark with Lauren, Farmer Bert did admit during the reunion episode that he had been briefly in touch with Caitlin – bumping into her at a tackle shop.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” he replied when asked if there was a relationship in his future.
What happened to Farmer Bert?
After something of a hiatus from social media, Farmer Bert returned to Instagram in June 2024, giving an insight into his life on the farm and showing off the results of a “cheeky after work dive” with a mate.
Later that month he shared a photo of himself enjoying a day at the Sunshine Coast races with friends.
He also did a spot of modelling – sharing a snap of himself looking handsome in clothes from Country Wear Online – a photo which caught the attention of Married at First Sight star Lucinda Light.
“What a spunk,” she wrote beneath the image.
In a post on Sept. 1, Bert reflected on his 31st birthday.
“31! 30 was by far the biggest year of my life, learnt a lot and made memories to last a lifetime!” he wrote. “Here’s to more years on the farm, beach, and dancing at weddings!”