Fans have taken aim at Channel 7 for airing the moment a woman collapsed on the first episode of Farmer Wants A Wife.
Single mum Bene seemed to hit it off with 37-year-old Jason, discussing how they’re both family-oriented and she was attracted to him.
But despite their initial connection, she and fellow contestant Britt didn’t make the top five who returned to the farm with Jason.
The 31-year-old thanked Jason for their time together, but then she suddenly grabbed Britt’s arm and stumbled backwards.
“Are you okay?” host Natalie Gruzlewski asked her.
“No,” the customer service worker replied.
She started to sway and quickly hit the deck as she fainted, with Britt and Jason rushing to help her.
“We need a medic,” Natalie yelled.
Bene was tended to by medics and production crew, who gave her water while she recovered from the disorientating experience.
“Oh my god, sorry. I feel dizzy,” she said as she came to.
Fans slam Channel 7 for airing the controversial moment
While it made for dramatic viewing, viewers criticised Channel 7 not only for airing the scene in the first place, but also for posting it on social media.
“Too much stress. Did we really need to air this part?” one demanded to know.
“Why would you air this on TV? Poor girl,” another said.
“Shouldn’t have been aired, how disappointing,” a third wrote.
Yahoo Lifestyle contacted Channel 7 for comment.
(Channel 7/Farmer Wants A Wife)
Bene explains what happened on Farmer Wants a Wife
Bene called the whole debacle “embarrassing” and has opened up about what caused her to collapse.
She confirmed to Woman’s Day that her collapse was referred to as a “medical emergency” but it wasn’t as serious as it sounded.
The 31-year-old explained that after standing around in the heat for so long, only to be sent home, her body just went “that’s enough”.
“It was long days, and you’re so out of your usual routine and environment,” she told New Idea.
“I think that my instant emotion was just like, ‘wow, okay’.
“It was everything. I put work on hold, I organised people to look after my daughter. I’ve committed to taking time away from her, and all of this stuff just hit like a freight train.”
She said she just hoped people didn’t think she was trying to make a scene, adding she was happy for the women who were chosen.
