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'The Bachelorette' fans slam Joey's uncle for sabotaging suitor's relationship with Charity: 'Not this uncle throwing doubt into the ring'

Charity's 'Bachelorette' journey in Royersford, PA includes meeting Joey Graziadei's family, but his uncle Joe has doubts about their connection

ROYERSFORD, PENNSYLVANIA: Charity Lawson's love story, in the words of Jesse Palmer, is "one for the ages"—and it appears she'll be going away from this season of 'The Bachelorette' with a massive Neil Lane diamond on her finger. But which of Charity's numerous suitors will win her heart? Based on how things are going in the program, we have our eye on multiple contenders, including Joey Graziadei. You know, the guy that showed up on the first night and modestly boasted about living in Hawaii.

'The Bachelorette' this season is moving at warp speed. The theme of this week is hometowns, and EW has an exclusive first look at Charity's journey to Collegeville, Pennsylvania, to meet Joey's family.

Fake it until you make it?

The 28-year-old tennis expert takes Charity to an indoor court for a one-on-one session, but he and the Bachelorette are shocked by Joey's uncle, Joe, who pays them a visit. "He was my mentor," Joey exclaims in the video. "He was the person who made me into the man I am today."

Uncle Joe instructs Charity on good forehand technique. Joe believes the Bachelorette has "decent hand-eye coordination," but he isn't sure she is the right love match for his nephew. "I like Charity," he comments. "But something didn't feel 100 percent with Joey."

This comment could have caused some fans a little bit of anxiety because some of them have tweeted that they believe Joey is only "putting it on" for the camera and that his ultimate objective is to become the next Bachelor. Is Uncle Joey picking up on the supposed "fake it until you make it (to the finale)" feeling when he claims something "isn't 100 percent" with his nephew?

How far does Joey make on 'The Bachelorette'?

Joey's hometown was filmed on April 13 in Pennsylvania (his birthplace). Xavier Bonner, Aaron Bryant, and Dotun Olubeko are his fellow hometown daters.

According to Reality Steve, three men make it to the fantasy suites: Xavier, Joey, and Dotun. Aaron appears between Joey and Dotun's dates after failing to make the final three (according to Reality Steve, Charity "does not take him back)". Joey and Dotun have made it to the last two, and we'll let you know how things go...

Did Joey's uncle ruin it for Charity and the suitor?

While it may appear unusual to put Joey's Collegeville, Pennsylvania, hometown date last, given Aaron was the one Charity sent home, Charity's doubts were strengthened by the time she spent with his family. Joey's Uncle Joe threw a kink in her plans of telling him she was falling in love with him at the end of the date. Uncle Joe observed that Joey wasn't acting like himself when he joined Charity and Joey on the tennis court during their session. He mentioned that this had been a recurring theme in Joey's previous relationships.

Uncle Joe communicated his worry to Charity, who was taken aback and perplexed since she felt she was witnessing the real Joey. Charity eventually decided not to tell Joey she was falling in love with him. Joey sensed a strange sensation between them, and as Charity departed, he was frightened that it may be their final farewell. He then admitted to Jesse Palmer, the show's presenter, that he was in love with Charity and not simply becoming in love with her. He wished he had told her. Although Charity eventually handed Joey a rose, their hometown date was clouded by uncertainty and sorrow.

'UNCLE JOE F**KED THAT UP'

Soon after their date, fans took to Twitter to slam Joey's uncle as one viewer wrote, "SHE WAS ABOUT TO SAY SHE WAS FALLING IN LOVE WITH JOEY BUT UNCLE JOE FUCKED THAT UP." Another person chimed in, "I’ll never forgive Uncle Joe if he ruins this for Charity and Joey."

One person noted, "Not this uncle throwing doubt into the ring." A fourth user wrote, "Joey to his uncle when he finds out he’s the reason for charity acting weird." While one viewer felt, "Maybe Joey isn’t being himself because he’s finally in an environment where he can flourish without mean uncle joe killing the vibe." 

Another viewer wrote, "I’ll send the Girl Scouts after you, Uncle Joe. I’ll send this little lady." One fan joked, "Charity: I'm very excited to tell Joey I'm falling in love with him.

Producers: Send in the jaded uncle to sabotage." While one viewer worried, "Charity now having to ask the families if she's getting the real, genuine them because of Joey's uncle."

According to some further finale spoilers from Reality Steve, it appears that he has a chance to be our next Bachelor—an update that might be announced as soon as Charity's live 'After the Finale Rose' special. That said, it's conceivable that ABC will choose a different season's participant or an alum from elsewhere in the franchise, so stay tuned!

'The Bachelorette' airs on Mondays at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC.