Alex Nation’s disabled ex-boyfriend has rubbished reports that The Bachelor favourite dumped him for a place on the show.
In a no-holds barred radio interview with Kyle and Jackie O, Tom Barbour says the opposite was true – he dumped Alex!
“No, these stories are not true at all … It was me that made that decision,” insists Tom, 23.
“We did break up in September (2015) but she had not yet applied to The Bachelor in any case at all. It was a peaceful split. We were just on different paths, different stages in life.”
The engineering student, who is currently studying in Sweden, explained that he ended the relationship due to his disability and his plans to go abroad.
He said he could not give both single mum Alex, 24, and her five-year-old son Elijah the time and attention that they deserved.
“Obviously me being in a wheelchair and her having a young child, brought a lot of complexities into the relationship,” explained Tom, who is confined to a wheelchair after a nine-metre fall from a building in 2012.
“Me going through a uni degree, I didn’t have time for both her and Elijah. I also didn’t know if I could provide because I was a student.”
Tom also hailed Alex as a “great person” and said they’re still friends.
“Alex is such a great person, kind in nature, true to herself and everyone. For them to say such things that she would leave just to get famous is completely absurd.
“To try and highlight my disadvantage to [sell the story] is awful. We’re still great friends, we’ve spoken since.”
Alex has also denied the claims.
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, the reality TV star dismissed the reports as “hurtful” and “completely false”.
The statement explained that she and Tom ended their relationship amicably in September after they both agreed it was “best for them to part ways”.
“Our relationship ended amicably with us both agreeing it was best to part ways,” insisted Alex, the hot favourite to win the final rose from Richie Strahan in this week’s Bali showdown.
“We are on good terms. Tom is now overseas on a scholarship to study,” Alex said, refuting an earlier report that suggested her former lover of 15-months fled to escape her.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, Alex claimed Tom is “probably the first person (she) ever loved”, despite the fact she was previously married.
“We fell madly in love and I renovated my house so he could move in with me.”
