The Bachelor finale: Joey gets engaged in bombshell finale as next Bachelorette announced

The 28th season of The Bachelor reached its dramatic conclusion on Monday (25 March).

The latest season of the ABC reality show saw theatrical exits, vicious feuds, injuries and no shortage of heartbreak.

In the final episode, 28-year-old Joey Graziedei got engaged after one of his finalists chose to self-eliminate in a groundbreaking series first.

Daisy Kent and Kelsey Anderson, both 25, were the final two contestants after Joey whittled it down from 32 women.

In the end, it was Kelsey who received the final rose, telling Joey: “I don’t know if I’ve ever been so happy in my life.”

Explaining her decision to self-eliminate in the live “After the Final Rose” show, Daisy said: “Walking away was really hard, but sometimes the hard thing is the best thing.”

Later in the show, 26-year-old doctor’s assistant Jenn Trann was named as the next Bachelorette.

“I’m looking for someone who has a really big personality,” she said. “I’m all about having fun, I’m all about having that cheeky banter.”

The new season will premiere this summer on ABC.

Key points

• How to watch

• Does Joey get engaged?

• Who has Joey sent home?

How to watch tonight’s finale

Monday 25 March 2024 19:34 , Tom Murray

The Bachelor finale will air in its regular Monday night slot at 8pm ET/PT.

For fans who have access to cable, you’ll be able to tune in live on ABC. You can also stream the show live through a variety of TV streamers such as DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, Fubo TV and Hulu + Live TV.

For those who don’t have those subscriptions, episodes are available to stream on Hulu the next day.

The series sadly will not be streaming immediately in the UK. British viewers may use a VPN to access ABC via the Hulu + Live TV app.

Read more:

How to watch The Bachelor season 28 finale

Spoilers: Does Joey get engaged at the end of the show?

Monday 25 March 2024 19:55 , Tom Murray

Warning potential spoilers of The Bachelor season 28 to follow. Continue at your own risk.

The Bachelor spoilers: Does Joey get engaged at the end of series finale?

Watch: Joey Graziadei gets emotional in season finale teaser

Monday 25 March 2024 20:25 , Tom Murray

The Bachelor star reveals she was hospitalised during filming

Monday 25 March 2024 20:55 , Tom Murray

Ex-contestant Lexi has revealed that she was sent to hospital while shooting to treat an ovarian cyst that had burst.

The 30-year-old digital strategist from Atlanta, Georgia, opened up to Joey during the show about living with endometriosis – a disease in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus. It often causes severe pelvic pain and can make it more difficult to get pregnant.

“I actually ended up going to the UCLA hospital while I was on the show,” Lexi recently told People.

“I had an ovarian cyst burst because I froze my eggs two weeks before going on the show. And so my ovaries were so enlarged from all the hormones that they hadn’t come back down yet.”

Read more:

The Bachelor star reveals she was hospitalised during filming

Who has Joey sent home so far?

Monday 25 March 2024 21:24 , Tom Murray

The Bachelor season 28 made history as it welcomed 32 women to the mansion – the most of any season.

However, following the season premiere on 22 January, that number has quickly declined.

See all the women who left broken-hearted here:

Who has Joey sent home on The Bachelor season 28?

How long is The Bachelor finale tonight?

Monday 25 March 2024 21:55 , Tom Murray

The Bachelor finale will be a bumper three-hour instalment as it includes an “After the Final Rose” special during which the next Bachelorette could be revealed.

Bachelor fans accuse producers of ‘sabotaging’ Rachel

Monday 25 March 2024 23:03 , Tom Murray

During the fantasy suites episode, fans accused the show’s producers of “sabotaging” Rachel’s chances with Joey by sending her on a “dangerous” date that landed her in hospital.

Joey and Rachel went to a cenote where the two jumped off elevated wooden platforms into a deep body of groundwater.

Rachel landed on her face and had to go to hospital to assess her injuries. Later that night, Rachel told Joey: “I’m still upset about today, I think I still feel bad that I ruined the day because you had the whole day planned, and I was waiting all week for it.”

“Rachel, girl, you didn’t ruin the date,” a fan tweeted, adding: “The Producers put you in a dangerous position and you got hurt during something dangerous. No apologies.”

Read more:

The final is about to begin...

Monday 25 March 2024 23:56 , Tom Murray

We’re just minutes away from the final, folks. Who are you rooting for? Thanks for joining The Independent as we watch along and bring you all the highlights and biggest reactions to the grand finale.

Stay tuned...

The tears have already started

00:03 , Tom Murray

WHAT is going to happen??? Why is Joey in tears!? Will Bachelor Nation ever recover if Joey is left broken-hearted?

Host Jesse Palmer teases that what happens with the Bachelor has “never happened before”.

Fans demand Maria for the next Bachelorette

00:21 , Tom Murray

Fans are desperate for The Bachelor favourite Maria to be announced as the next Bachelorette during tonight’s episode. The star of the female-fronted version of the show is often announced during the live finale of The Bachelor.

Will it be Maria...

GMA confirms that the Bachelorette will be announced tonight

00:41 , Tom Murray

In their ad for tomorrow’s show, Good Morning America just confirmed that the next Bachelorette will be confirmed tonight! Will it be Maria as fans hope...

Jesse throws major curveball

00:47 , Tom Murray

“How is Joey going to choose between Daisy and Kelsey? Maybe... he won’t,” says Palmer.

What??? If it’s not the most dramatic finale in Bachelor history, it’s definitely the most cryptic.

Fans spot Golden Bachelor Gerry crying in the audience

01:00 , Tom Murray

It’s all too much for Gerry! The first Golden Bachelor was known for being in tune with his emotional side.

Joey fails to reassure Daisy in final date

01:07 , Tom Murray

During a “cleansing ceremony” to “heal our minds and heal our hearts”, Daisy and Joey declared their deepest hopes.

Daisy said her desire was to “keep learning about” Joey, while he said: “My desire is for both of us to find true happiness, whether that’s with each other or just in general.”

It definitely wasn’t what Daisy was hoping to hear as she tells the camera: “I feel like it might not be us because I’m used to not being chosen... That sucks.”

Later, she says it’s a “little bit terrifying” not to hear her feelings reciprocated by Joey after telling him she loves him.

‘If I’m being 100 per cent honest, I don’t think it’s me'

01:11 , Tom Murray

Wow, a big statement from Daisy who is not feeling convinced at all. A lot of people cringing over that final date...

Fans say Kelsey got the superior final date

01:24 , Tom Murray

Lots of viewers are feeling for Daisy who got a spiritual ceremony while Kelsey and Joey got to engage in a couples massage.

“Daisy got a sweaty claustrophobic rock date and Kelsey is getting a full-on spa day oh this is definitely over,” wrote one person on Twitter/X.

More reactions here:

Daisy visits Kelsey ahead of final rose ceremony in Bachelor first

01:46 , Tom Murray

In a first for the franchise, the two finalists spoke just ahead of the final rose ceremony. Daisy went to Kelsey’s hotel room to ask how her final date with Joey went.

Kelsey said she felt “a lot of validation” by the end of her date, which is exactly what Daisy felt she was missing.

“I love him and I care about him, but I’m really, really hurting,” Daisy said. “It shouldn’t feel this way... I really think it’s Kelsey, but I’m not just going to walk away right now because what if it’s not?”

01:48 , Tom Murray

Daisy self-eliminates in franchise first

01:59 , Tom Murray

In a first for Bachelor Nation, Daisy has chosen to bow out ahead of the final rose ceremony.

“I know that you came into my life for a reason,” she said. “You showed me how important it is to know my worth.”

She continued: “Falling in love with you has been so fun, and I do love you. But the thing is, you’re not going to choose me.”

Both she and Joey broke down in tears as she added: “The last couple of days, I realised that you’re not my person, and I know that you know I’m not your person. And as much as that hurts, I know you said you want the best for me, so I’m going to do what’s best for me, and I’m going to go.”

“You don’t understand how special you truly are. It hurts so much that I know I have something special with someone else,” Joey said. “This has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do because I know how much I’ll miss you.”

He added, “You deserve nothing but the best, and I really wish I was able to give it to you.”

“Daisy’s the strongest woman I’ve ever met,” Joey concluded.

To say that Bachelor Nation is shaking would be an understatement.

Kelsey says: ‘Yes!'

02:09 , Tom Murray

In the final scenes of the pre-taped show, Joey proposed to Kelsey who replied with an elated “yes”.

“I knew early on that there was something different about you, and I just wanted to learn more,” Joey began by telling her. “There is nothing difficult about choosing you, and I can’t wait another minute to tell you that I love you.”

He continued: “There is something about you. You have this infectious energy that makes me smile.

“You’re my light.”

Joey then handed Kelsey his final rose.

“I’m so happy,” she said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been so happy in my life.”

Daisy reveals the moment she knew it was over for her

02:22 , Tom Murray

In the live “After the Final Rose” show, Daisy was asked when she knew that Kelsey had the stronger connection with Joey.

She said that when Rachel was eliminated in the penultimate episode, she noticed a look between Joey and Kelsey that revealed their chemistry.

“Walking away was really hard, but sometimes the hard thing is the best thing,” Daisy said. “It was the best thing for all of us.”

Mark for the Golden Bachelorette?

02:43 , Tom Murray

Jesse just teased the return of Kelsey’s dad, Mark, saying: “And Mark, maybe we’ll be seeing you soon.”

After the widower was introduced during the hometown visits, fans have been begging for his inclusion in the forthcoming season of The Golden Bachelorette.

The spin-off was announced at Disney’s Television Critics Association Press Tour in February following the highly successful debut of The Golden Bachelor last year.

Jenn Tran is the next Bachelorette

03:07 , Tom Murray

At the end of the “After the Final Rose” show, 26-year-old doctor’s assistant Jenn Trann was named as the next Bachelorette.

“I’m looking for someone who has a really big personality,” she said. “I’m all about having fun, I’m all about having that cheeky banter.”

The new season will premiere this summer on ABC.

Joey and Kelsey planning ‘long engagement'

03:55 , Tom Murray

Joey and his new fiancée have spoken to People in an interview published on the heels of The Bachelor finale.

“We want to promise our lives together, but we don’t want to rush it,” Joey told the magazine. “It’s time now to enjoy this. We have the rest of our lives to celebrate it. We’re going to take it day by day and just enjoy this time.”

Kelsey said she expects her and Joey to be engaged for two or three years before tying the knot.

“I honestly don’t know what I want my wedding to look like,” she said. “I definitely want all my close friends and family there. I think I want a very timeless wedding, but where? Not sure. I guess we’re going to have to figure that out.”