The fan favourite dropped a major bombshell in Tuesday night’s episode.

Farmer Wants A Wife’s Thomas hugging Claire / Thomas.

Farmer Wants A Wife’s Thomas was devastated when Claire decided to quit the show. Photos: Channel Nine

Farmer Wants A Wife’s Thomas was left heartbroken in Tuesday night’s episode when his frontrunner Claire decided to quit the reality show. The 31-year-old FIFO mine site admin, who received the 24-hour date, pulled him aside at the Goulburn Bullarama to break the news.

“I guess I have been quiet, and kind of leaned back a bit, and that was originally due to, like, the girls coming and just giving them a chance to see the farm and everything,” she shared. “But I’ve kind of reflected, and I don’t actually know if I want to continue.”

She also told her co-stars that she was prepared to move to the farm for the right person, but didn’t think her connection with Thomas was strong enough to take that step.

Thomas was devastated after Claire dropped the “bombshell”, especially after he had admitted in his piece-to-camera interview that their date was the best he had ever been on. He previously told Yahoo Lifestyle that he went on the show determined to meet someone willing to pack up their life and move to the farm.

“We have the easy job, like we didn’t have to sacrifice anything. We’re in our natural habitat, but the ladies had to give up work, not knowing how long they were going to be there finding love for. I envy them for really taking the risk to find love,” he said.

Farmer Wants A Wife’s Thomas / Claire.

Claire admitted she didn’t think her connection with Thomas was strong enough to continue. Photos: Channel 7

Viewers took to social media following the episode to admit they were “shocked” that Claire decided to end things with Thomas, and described her as “the one that got away”. Plenty of people also speculated that she might have a change of mind and return to the farm later in the season to continue their relationship.

“Please can there be a plot twist and Claire comes back?” one person wrote, while another added, “I agree, I really like her, she is well suited I think”.

“She should come back… please please please,” a third replied, followed by someone else who said, “I was hoping the same thing”.

“In the ads for next week, it gives a hint that a farmer has found love and leaves. Will it be Farmer Thomas realising his feelings for Claire and brings her back?” a different user remarked.

Unfortunately, Yahoo Lifestyle can reveal Claire won’t be returning to the farm. Instead, Farmer Thomas will continue his search for love with his remaining contestants: Clarette, Rachael, and Ellen.

Ellen was mysteriously absent from the show in Monday night’s episode when the ladies arrived at Thomas’ farm, but reappeared at the first social gathering of the season in Tuesday night’s episode.

While it wasn’t explained on the show, Yahoo Lifestyle can reveal she was sick between filming the speed dates and moving to the farm in Kimba, South Australia.