The fan favourite Farmer Wants A Wife couple called off their wedding earlier this year, leaving fans shocked.
Former Farmer Wants A Wife’s Claire Saunders has revealed why she and Farmer Andrew Coleman called off their wedding after making the announcement it was cancelled in July. The pair, who met while filming the show in 2022, were meant to wed in September in Sydney, but Claire was at her family home in Tasmania, with her unworn wedding dress in the cupboard.
Due to the last-minute cancellation, many of her friends couldn’t get refunds on flights, so they still made the trip to Sydney. Speaking with WHO, Claire said, “They all bumped into each other at the airport. It was weird.”
“I was at home with the bridesmaids dresses and the cowboy boots we’d bought and then the wedding topper turned up in the post.”
Claire tells the publication that it was a reminder that she not only lost the man she was “fully in love with” but also the life they had together on his farm in Narromine, NSW.
“I never thought of my life away from Andrew and the farm when I was there. It’s the only time in my life I’ve not had a plan B,” she said. “It’s not been easy but breakups are not easy, especially when you really love someone.”
Explaining the reason behind the split, Claire said Andrew’s father becoming seriously ill changed things for them, placing a lot of stress on the pair.
“I cancelled the wedding in July. You can’t make someone marry you,” she added. “He wanted some space so I went to Darwin for the dry season and the wheels really fell off after that. We’re not in contact now at all. It’s been a terrible time.”
Farmer Andrew breaks his silence on split from Claire
Andrew finally broke his silence following the split in September with a statement on Instagram.
“It feels the right time to share what’s been happening in my life on the farm and beyond,” he began the lengthy post. “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.
“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.”
He continued, “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.
“It’s sad the relationship ended, but I stand tall knowing we 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.”
Andrew shared that he was thankful for his friends and family and “everyone who followed this chapter” of his life, “Your kindness has been much appreciated, reminding me in tough times, great support can be found.”
He finished by saying, “As I move forward, I’m choosing to celebrate the love we shared, the lessons learned, and the strength gained. No regrets, just gratitude. 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.”