“THE GOLDEN ENGAGEMENT SCANDAL”: Mel Owens CONFIRMS Engagement to His Final Pick, But Insiders CLAIM the Wedding Is a Made-for-TV Deal Designed for Ratings, Not Romance

GOLDEN Bachelor Mel Owens has met his future wife on the ABC reality show, and the happy couple is still engaged, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.

There were “doubts” that Mel, 66, would get down on one knee as he “struggled” at the beginning of filming his season of the show.

Mel Owens poses with his group of ladies on the Golden Bachelor premiereCredit: ABC
However, the former NFL player was able to find his footing and had a fairytale ending to wrap up his season.

“Producers doubted if Mel was going to land the plane and pull through at the beginning.

“Even halfway through they were questioning if they made the right choice and if they went with the right guy.

“But he really turned things around at the end and made this season work for him. They weren’t sure if he was going to propose and he wasn’t even sure if he was going to,” a production insider told The U.S. Sun.

The U.S. Sun can confirm that Peg Munson, 62, was Mel’s winner this season, and the pair are still engaged.

The source continued: “He was more difficult in the beginning which is why everyone had doubts but he really did allow himself to be vulnerable to the process.

“And because of that, he had a storybook ending, and producers are elated with the outcome.

“Execs were terrified he wouldn’t get down on one knee and convinced throughout most of the season it was looking like he wouldn’t.

“It was a huge relief he ended up going through with it. Again, everyone is thrilled, if not even surprised, behind the scenes.”

The insider went on to explain that ABC has “already made arrangements” for a televised wedding that will be “similar” to the one they threw for the first Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner.

Gerry, 74, wed Theresa Nist in a lavish Palm Springs, California wedding that was filled with members of Bachelor Nation.

However, it appeared as though the nuptials were completely planned by production and had little insight or personal touches from the couple.

“The network learned a lot with the Gerry wedding and obviously that didn’t end up working out,” they added, as Gerry and Theresa have since had a nasty divorce.

“Though the wedding itself went off well. They’re going to allow Mel to have more control over the ceremony and make it more of a personal touch.

“They want to make it his day and Peg’s day. Where as Gerry’s wedding was basically all planned by ABC and the couple just showed up and did what they were told.”

Famous Bachelor blogger, Reality Steve, first reported Mel and Peg’s engagement.

Peg and Mel enjoy a romantic bathtub date during his season of The Golden BachelorCredit: Getty

Shirtless Mel and a bikini-clad Mel enjoy a one-on-one date on The Golden BachelorCredit: Getty
The reality star’s rocky start came after a series of controversial comments he made, including saying he would “immediately cut” any woman on his season over the age of 60.

While he appeared to be serious, he later backtracked on his comments as most of the women on the 66-year-old’s season were in their 60s.

The comments also appeared to take a toll on the ratings, as The U.S. Sun previously reported that viewership had plummeted from last season.

Mel’s season finale airs on November 5th at 8 pm ET on ABC.

Mel Owens begins his journey for love with 23 women embodying elegance and strengthCredit: Getty

Golden Bachelor Mel Owens looks buff while grocery shopping at Ralph’s in Alisa Viegjo, CACredit: Rafael Fontoura for The U.S. Sun

Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist wed during a televised wedding ceremony thrown by ABCCredit: Getty