By Kyra Gillespie
Beaconsfield’s Daniel Noonan will be one among 18 men vying for Bachelorette Ali Oetjen’s heart when the dating reality show starts its fourth season this week.
The 30-year-old personal trainer and Navy veteran said Oetjen was the driving force behind his application to the Channel Ten show.
“I’m at the stage where I’m ready to find love and settle down, and knowing Ali was going to be the next Bachelorette was a big reason for me applying for the show,” Daniel said. “Ali just ticks all the boxes for me; she’s at the same stage of life as I am, she’s beautiful and holds family values above all else like I do.
“I don’t think I would have applied if I didn’t know who the Bachelorette was going to be.”
The born and bred local attended school at St Francis Xavier College in Beaconsfield, and joined the Navy for three years when he turned 25.
“I just haven’t been able to find someone who I am compatible with, and my time in the Navy didn’t exactly help.
“Being deployed for seven months or longer at a time meant that I wasn’t really able to maintain a serious relationship.”
Growing up in Beaconsfield is where Daniel found his love for the outdoors and nature.
While his work as a personal trainer takes him to the other side of Melbourne, he returns to south east every weekend to spend time with his family and dog.
He describes himself as spontaneous and adventurous.
“I love adventures and thrill-seeking, and I like to be spontaneous. When I joined the Navy I didn’t really tell people, and when I was discharged and came back to Melbourne I went off to Canada at the last minute.
“I guess I tend to do what I want when I want,” he added with a laugh.
Daniel said that he applied not really expecting to be chosen for the show.
“The whole thing was a bit surreal; I definitely did not expect to actually go on the show.”
When asked if audiences can expect to feel less disenchanted by the ending of this series, compared with the controversial Bachelor finale, the hopeful contestant didn’t give too much away.
“There is definitely a lot of drama; it’s going to be a great season.”
