Fans fume over ‘disgusting’ Bach premiere

SHE'S already one of the franchise's most controversial Bachelorettes after her ex Grant Kemp accused her of cheating on him.

And Ali Oetjen's stint has gotten off to a shaky start during Wednesday night's premiere after the 30-year-old joked that she was glad a male contestant's big "confession" wasn't that he was a woman.

During her meet and greet with this year's male contestants, a nervous Bill told Ali he had a secret he had to tell her.

"I have a little confession to make about myself, I wasn't actually born Bill," he said. "I was born something different. I was born actually" - but before viewers could find out, the show cut to an advertising break.

But when the show returned from the ad break Bill was allowed to continue speaking and revealed he was born "David, but ever since I can remember I've been known as Bill … it's just a little fun fact about myself".

The show then cut to a piece to camera with Ali, who laughed and gleefully remarked: "He's not a woman - tick!"

But Ali's relief didn't go down well with viewers, who took to Twitter to accuse the 30-year-old of transphobia - and slam Channel 10 for teasing out Bill's big "reveal".

It's not the first time The Bachelor franchise has come under fire for its treatment of LGBTIQ issues.

The Bachelor was criticised for promoting Brooke Blurton's bisexuality as a big 'secret' she had to tell Nick Cummins, while Bachelor in Paradise was accused of "queerbaiting" a kiss between bisexual contestants Elora Murger and Megan Marx that never actually happened.

-The Bachelorette continues Thursday night at 7.30pm on Network 10.