It was a Farmer Wants a Wife success story that captivated the hearts of Australians during the 2023 season – and when Farmer Andrew Coleman and his chosen partner Claire Saunders called off their wedding in July fans hoped a reunion might yet be on the cards.
But in a rare and emotional post to social media on Sept. 16, Farmer Andrew revealed it was all over for the former lovebirds.
“It feels the right time to share what’s been happening in my life on the farm and beyond. For someone who’s more used to being surrounded by sheep and nature than the buzz of social media, this is a bit out of the box. But here goes!
“Farm life is full of hard work, dedication, and heart. Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to create a slice of paradise out here. A few years ago, I felt the pull to share this life with someone special, to build something greater, and maybe even start a family. In a leap of faith, and a healthy dose of nerves, I signed up for Farmer Wants a Wife,” Andrew wrote. “I never imagined meeting such an amazing group of women, each with their own spirit and story. It was exciting and humbling, reminding me of how important love and connection are.
“Amidst it all, one extraordinary woman captured my heart, and we decided to give it a shot. We moved in together, dreaming of a future where our love would grown alongside the farm. It was fast-paced, passionate and fun.
“But life had other plans. Despite all the love and effort we both gave, sometimes things just don’t work out. Living together brought its own challenges, and we realised our paths weren’t meant to stay intertwined.”
Andrew went on to say it was “sad” that his relationship had ended but that he “stands tall” knowing the pair “gave it our all”.
“Though it didn’t lead us where we hoped, it helped us grow. Its been a huge outlay of heart and soul. And while it’s painful to walk away, we’ve both emerged stronger, wiser, and more attuned to what really matters,” he wrote, before thanking his family, friends and fans for their support.
“As I move forward, I’m choosing to celebrate the love we shared, the lessons learned, and the strength gained. No regrets, just gratitude,” he wrote.
“Now, it’s time to dive back into farm life. There’s never a dull moment with the challenges, adventures and pleasures that come from living and working on the land, and I look forward to sharing this journey, hoping we can all find inspiration.”
Andrews post came after a tumultuous time for the former couple.
Claire had previously alleged in a since-deleted Instagram post that Andrew had followed her to Tasmania “in secret” after they parted ways.
After he post gained traction online, she was later forced to clarify her comments, telling her own fans “I have never felt unsafe in my life EVER, especially in my relationship.”
“Since the show this platform has been so busy and I didn’t realise that the things I share would get so much reach. I also didn’t realise that my posts can be taken in five different ways, and twisted completely out of context,” she wrote in her own post.
“Both Andrew and I are hurting and we both haven’t known how to cope with it all, especially with our relationship being so public.
“He is a beautiful human and out of hurt has made some silly decisions, just like me and all of us.”
Claire went on to say she would be “closing” her Instagram account for a while.
“Andrew will always be the love of my life. I have always been safe in our relationship. Mental health is a tough road to walk down so make sure you surround yourself with your people. Heartbreak makes us say and do silly things. Life is hard so please just be kind to each other,” she wrote.
“After today I’ll be taking a break from social to heal my heart and calm my mind.”