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'The Bachelorette': Was Clare-Dale saga 'planned'? Fans think it was staged so Tayshia and suitors can quarantine

ABC has denied and slammed the claims as 'insane'

'The Bachelorette' has returned this week with a major shake-up. Clare Crawley has left the show and taking up the mantle is Tayshia Adams, who seems to be giving each of the 16 men a fair shot at love. But fans feel the switch-up isn't real and was "planned" by the network all along. Before the season began, ABC had shared how everyone who is a part of the show had to be quarantined before entering the house. And as we saw in the previous week, Clare and Dale Moss got into a quick engagement, which not too long after they expressed their true feelings for each other. 

The showrunners have denied the claims, called it "insane". Talking to Variety, an ABC executive shared: "There really wasn't the luxury of time, so it was really instinctual. We had gotten to know the guys. The guys felt a little spurned that they're going all-in for Clare."

But fans aren't buying the change so easily. "Can we talk about the timing? How did Claire break up with the guys and they are packing to leave then told to come out that night? Obviously, It was the plan all along with replace Clare because Tayshia had to quarantine for 2 weeks," a fan commented on the show's Facebook page, while another posted, "So sad producers did that and showed it was her choice. I feel there was a lot going on and dale was a front runner for her but she could have continued."

"Sooooo #TheBachelorette had Tayshia and all these dudes quarantined and on stand-by?? Smells like it was planned," a user tweeted, another pointed out: "How are the producers going to pretend like replacing Tayshia with Clare was not planned from the beginning when they are bringing in men to quarantine for two weeks and Clare got engaged in two weeks? #TheBachelorette." 

"So... y'all want me to believe this transition wasn't planned at least 2 weeks ahead of time? How else would a new group of guys be ready the same day Tayshia takes over?? You already told us everyone had to be quarantined before coming on the show. Just saying...#TheBachelorette," another viewer expressed. 

Catch all the new episodes of 'The Bachelorette' on ABC every Tuesday at 8/7c. For more information, check your local listings.