EXCLUSIVE: The Block stars Rachel and Ryan Carr spill on meeting Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden at the charity gala.

Angie Kent and Cam Merchant / The Golden Bachelor’s Lauren.

The Golden Bachelor’s star-studded charity event went awry when a bird flew into the audience. Photos: Channel 9

As if dating 20 women wasn’t hard enough, this week’s episode of The Golden Bachelor saw Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden meeting dozens of famous faces at a star-studded charity gala. The event, which raised money for Cancer Council, featured several well-known Channel 9 personalities, including Richard Wilkins, Ally Langdon, David Campbell, MAFS’ Jules Robinson and Cam Merchant, and former Bachelorette Angie Kent.

Abbie Chatfield, whose mum Laura was a contestant on the show, was also in attendance, as well as The Block stars Rachel and Ryan Carr. The couple told Yahoo Lifestyle following the episode that it was “so much fun” attending the gala and meeting the cast, but there was some chaos when one contestant’s variety act went awry.

Lauren, a 60-year-old dressage team manager, had organised a performance with her pet macaw, Mary. However, the bird took off into the crowd, causing some alarm.

While the celebrities were shown laughing about the incident, Rachel reveals it was much crazier in real life.

“The wayward macaw definitely sent the room into a spin, as we did have a few celebrities with a fear of birds in the audience,” she recalls.

 

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What was Bear really like?

Rachel and Ryan share that they spoke with Bear briefly at the event, and he seemed “so kind and calm amidst what must be a whirlwind for him”.

“All these beautiful, full-of-life women vying for his attention, a room filled with some huge media personalities, and he was taking it all in his stride in such a calm way,” Rachel says.

“The women are absolutely incredible; they are all so accomplished and highly intelligent and just so fun, and the way they all lift each other up is so beautiful to watch.”

Who will win The Golden Bachelor 2025?

As for who she thinks Bear will choose in the finale, Rachel admits she tried to find clues on the day but couldn’t tell who the frontrunners were.

“He’s doing very well in keeping it to himself if he has a favourite,” she remarks.

However, having watched the show, she believes that the winner will either be Jan, who received the first impression rose, Janette, who went on the first date, or Kim, who has bonded with Bear over the death of their respective spouses.