Bachelorette producers reveal whether Schapelle Corby will be the show’s next star

Is the question on everyone’s lips – will Schapelle Corby be Australia’s next Bachelorette? 

The convicted drug smuggler, 45, announced on Sunday that her long-distance relationship with Indonesian boyfriend Ben Panangian, 40, was over and that she was looking for love once more.

Fans immediately began speculating that the freed convict could be set to join The Bachelorette, following in the footsteps of stars such as Sophie Monk and Angie Kent.   

On Tuesday, however, Channel 10 producers put the whispers to rest by confirming that Schapelle had been ruled out as a future Bachelorette star. 

Speaking to TV Tonight, Warner Bros Australia’s managing director Michael Brooks said of Schapelle joining the show: ‘We’ve enjoyed great success having celebrities as part of the show in the past but it’s not something we’re focused on right now.’ 

Schapelle is no stranger to the world of reality television, having competed on Channel Seven’s SAS Australia in 2020 and Dancing With The Stars the following year. 

Schapelle announced on Sunday that her long-distance relationship with Indonesian boyfriend Ben Panangian (left) was over and that she was looking for love once more

Speaking to TV Tonight , Warner Bros Australia’s managing director Michael Brooks said of Schapelle joining the show: ‘We’ve enjoyed great success having celebrities as part of the show in the past but it’s not something we’re focused on right now’ 

Schapelle confirmed her single status on Sunday, uploading a throwback photo of herself and ex-boyfriend Ben having fun on the beach, with Ben’s face and body scratched out. 

‘Looking for a new Four Leaf Clover. *ATTENTION*. Help a girl out – Get Tagging,’ she wrote in her caption, indicating that she’s already on the hunt for Ben’s lucky replacement. 

Since making the announcement, the brunette has received a flurry of online attention from male admirers. 

Schapelle is no stranger to the world of reality television, having competed on Channel Seven’s SAS Australia in 2020 (left) and Dancing With The Stars the following year (right)

Schapelle confirmed her single status on Sunday, uploading this throwback photo of herself and ex-boyfriend Ben having fun on the beach, with Ben’s face and body scratched out  

Schapelle and Ben met in a Bali prison in 2006 when they were both serving time for drug-related offences, but hadn’t seen each other in person since 2019. 

Ben was released from prison in 2009, while Schapelle was finally paroled in 2014 and allowed to return to Australia in 2017.

The Indonesian government, however, permanently banned her from ever revisiting their country, which put a strain on their now long-distance relationship. 

‘Looking for a new Four Leaf Clover. *ATTENTION*. Help a girl out – Get Tagging,’ she wrote in her caption, indicating that she’s already on the hunt for Ben’s lucky replacement

Since making the announcement, the brunette has received a flurry of online attention from male admirers

In October 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag.

The world watched in May 2005 as she broke down in the Denpasar courtroom after being sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment. 

Following a series of sentence reductions, she was released on parole in February 2014, having served nine years behind bars.

The former beautician has always denied knowingly importing drugs and maintains the marijuana was planted in her luggage by corrupt baggage handlers. 

Schapelle and Ben (left) met in a Bali prison in 2006 when they were both serving time for drug-related offences, but hadn’t seen each other in person since 2019 

In October 2004, Schapelle became a household name when she was arrested at Bali airport with 4.2kg of cannabis wrapped in plastic inside her boogie board bag