GOLDEN Bachelor fans have applauded runner-up Cindy Cullers for dumping Mel Owens and expressed their disappointment over the finale.

Mel didn’t have to choose between the final two ladies, Cindy and Peg Munson, as one ended up walking away from the former athlete.

Golden Bachelorette fans applauded runner-up Cindy Cullers for dumping Mel Owens in the finaleCredit: ABC

Mel ended the season with Peg Munson after Cindy voluntarily left before he could make his decisionCredit: ABC
The episode picked up where it left off two weeks earlier, with Cindy and Mel having a serious discussion about their future during their date in Antigua.

Cindy admitted she questioned Mel’s true feelings for her and whether he was ready for a commitment and a proposal.

Mel seemed to confirm her fears, as he revealed he most likely wouldn’t be popping the question during the season finale, as he was still torn between his feelings for her and Peg.

Cindy then made the difficult decision to end their romance, and she walked away in tears.

Mel later recapped what happened to Peg, who agreed she was still interested in getting to know the former NFL star.

After meeting his sons and best friend, Diane, and receiving the stamp of approval, the couple solidified their relationship in a romantic beach setting.

Instead of a proposal, Mel gifted Peg a massive diamond “promise ring” and asked her to continue their journey and see how the relationship progresses, to which she accepted.

Mel reunited with both ladies during the After the Final Rose special, hosted by Jesse Palmer.

He and Cindy shared their final peace, with Cindy revealing she’s happy that Mel didn’t try to convince her to stay.

She further noted that the pair “didn’t align,” and wanted different things from the experience, but there were no hard feelings.

Fans praised Cindy for expressing what she wanted and not settling for Mel when she realized they weren’t on the same page.

“The biggest WINNER on The Golden Bachelor is Cindy. Good for her, for not settling for Mel & his indecision. It took a lot to walk away. ABC: There is your next Golden Bachelorette,” one person wrote on X.

“Dodged a bullet, Cindy-dodged a great big bullet,” said another.

“That was brutal. The only good thing that happened was that Cindy handled the situation on her terms.

“She deserves someone who wants a commitment, not saying they want to wait two years to see what happens! She deserves someone incredibly special,” a third reacted.

Viewers also shared their frustrations with the “boring” finale, especially after Mel and Peg seemingly dodged questions about a possible proposal and wedding in their future.

“This is so boring I actually went and did laundry,” one fan admitted.

“I have never been so happy for a season to be over,” a second remarked.

“This is not getting me excited for her season. Sorry abc, it’s not working,” a third commented.

Despite their smiles onstage, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed that there’s already trouble in paradise between Mel and Peg, according to a source.

The insider also revealed that the duo planned to come out as a “united front” for the live show to ensure fans didn’t sense that their relationship was on the rocks.

Mel and Cindy reunited on the After the Final Rose special, where they said their peace after several months have passedCredit: ABC

Mel didn’t propose to Peg, but gifted her a massive diamond ‘promise ring’

A source exclusively told The U.S. Sun that there’s already trouble in paradise between Mel and Peg and they put on a ‘united front’ for the camerasCredit: Getty

“RHOC EXPLOSION”; Alexis Bellino FIRES BACK at Shannon After Wedding Comments, Accusing Her of CONSTANTLY Bringing Up John to Sabotage Her Happiness, While Cast Members Whisper About Backstage FEUDS and Fans Are FLOODING Social Media Over the SHOCKING Showdown

Alexis Bellino reacted to Shannon Beador complimenting her wedding to ex John Janssen. Alexis said she hopes Shannon can “finally move on” and leave “my husband’s name out of her mouth” because it makes her look “like an idiot.”

On a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Shannon congratulated Alexis after her wedding to John, who sued Shannon for $75,000 after their split. Shannon expressed well wishes, and she said the ceremony looked “beautiful.” She also repeated this sentiment at the Real Housewives of Orange County reunion.

On Reality with The King, Alexis was asked how she felt about Shannon’s compliment.

“I don’t really know. And I mean, I’m glad that it feels like she can finally move on,” said Alexis. “And hopefully now next season — if she’s back on the show — she’ll leave my husband’s name out of her mouth, because it makes her look kind of like an idiot to bring him up this many years later … after he’s like fully married.”

“So hopefully that has been a lesson for her watching it play back this season,” she went on. “But I did feel like she meant it, because there’s no one that can say my wedding was beautiful and think they’re lying, because it was beautiful. It was one of the most beautiful things that actually came together. You know, when you’re creating the vision … of a wedding, you don’t know till the day of. You think you have this vision, but it might not look like [it]. All the suits … and dresses that we had and all the stuff we were trying to put together, I wouldn’t know until we got everybody together for that picture.”

During the reunion, Tamra Judge suggested that Alexis’ wedding was one of the best she’s ever attended. On the podcast, Alexis said she “appreciated” how Tamra was “sensitive” about Shannon “sitting there” during her answer.

“But Tamra’s asked a question in front of everybody and has to answer honestly. And I know that Tamra held back saying a lot of what she really wanted to say about the wedding, just in respect for Shannon’s … difficulty moving forward with it all during the season,” she said. “But yeah, so I do believe Shannon, that she thought it was gorgeous. Because it was.”