New Bachelors hunk Ben Waddell is in a shocking link with Hollywood star Zac Efron, with the model threatening legal action against the actor in 2021.
The Channel Ten star, 36, made headlines when he served the Baywatch actor a legal notice over his Netflix docuseries Down To Earth.
He claimed that the eco-travel show is a replica of the concept he was shopping in the United States in 2018, although the producers categorically deny the allegations.
Ben said producers objected to the idea, prompting him to return to Australia to shoot a local version until Zac's show aired in 2020, which he said partially copied the pilot he filmed.
The environmental activist's legal notice to the Bad Neighbors star demanded that Zac, 36, respond to the allegations within seven days.
New Bachelors star Ben Waddell, 36, (pictured) has had a shocking link with Hollywood star Zac Efron, 36, with the model threatening legal action against the actor in 2021
Ben claimed he was shocked to see 'his show' airing with the award-winning actor at the helm and vowed to launch legal action against Netflix and Down To Earth makers The Nacelle Company.
He told his Instagram followers at the time that he tried to contact production several times before going public with his allegations.
“I was talking to radio stations and then Channel Nine chased (Zac). Yesterday, our attorneys contacted Efron's team directly. Now they have seven days to write us back or you know what happens next,” Ben said.
The Channel Ten star made headlines when he served the Baywatch actor (pictured) a legal notice over his Netflix docuseries Down To Earth
A letter of demand can be formally issued in an attempt to resolve a case out of court, although Ben's brother has created a GoFundMe page in an attempt to raise the $50,000 needed to settle a lawsuit to tighten.
The final nail in the coffin for Ben was when he learned that season two would be filmed in his home country of Australia, he told Ny Breaking Australia at the time.
“I was sitting on my couch during the lockdown (in America) and turned on Netflix and it was trending as the second biggest show in the US,” he said.
He claimed the eco-travel show, the second season of which was filmed in Australia, is a replica of the concept he shopped in the United States in 2018.
'I fell off my chair, I was shocked. It was cruel, heartbreaking. Now they're making a season 2 in Australia just to kick me when I'm down.'
Australian presenter and production partner Whitney Smith shot a pilot for 'Down to Earth with Ben Waddell' in July 2017 during an eco-retreat in Mexico.
After it wasn't picked up in the US, he started making plans to film in Australia, but had to drop talks with Channel Ten after watching the Netflix version.
Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Ten for Ben's comment.