The Bachelorette viewers are certain that Aaron Erb was 'planted by producers' to whip up tensions between the fellow singletons on season 21 of the ABC dating show - and have declared it 'so obvious' that he was only there to create drama.
Since the 29-year-old aerospace engineer, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, voluntarily quit the series to pursue his dream of being a fighter pilot on Monday night - ending his bid to try and capture the heart of 26-year-old Jenn Tran - speculation has been rife over whether his appearance was genuine.
Many are convinced that Aaron's entire stint on the show was manufactured by producers so that they could use him to 'unconvincingly stir up drama'.
And, given that Aaron presented Devin Strader with a fake book in scenes that aired last week, fans believe they've uncovered the truth.
The Bachelorette viewers are certain that Aaron Erb was planted on the show by producers
The singleton revealed to Jenn Tran on Monday that he voluntarily quit the series
Sharing their hunch on Reddit, one wrote: 'Aaron is a plant. I really hope this isn't his "the next bachelor" edit.
'After book-gate and now this phone call, although we know they don't get to use their phones... like come on...I don't want another Matt James type Bachelor season.'
Another wrote: 'Yes!! It's been so obvious and I caught onto it as soon as the pointless drama started and when the producers had a book ready to go.'
A third agreed, adding: 'He is 100% a producer plant and knowing that kinda makes me not like this show ugh why are they so bad at reality TV.'
'I don't get Aaron's motivations for agreeing to play this part in the season,' a fourth said.
'For screen time? You'd think he would have had conversations with his brother about how production works and situations to avoid. I don't get why he's playing producer puppet.'
'It was painful,' a fifth posted. 'They sent in the douchiest, most condescending guy they could find to unconvincingly stir up drama and harp on producer cliches the audience has no interest in watching.
'Embarrassing for him and them and just bad and boring TV.'
Aaron quit the competition to focus on his dreams of becoming a fighter pilot
Viewers were convinced that Aaron was brought onto the show to 'stir' up drama - and declared the ploy by producers as 'so obvious'
Aaron, however, has debunked theories that the show is in any way scripted.
Taking to Instagram following episode three, he posted several photos from his pilot training.
Captioning the upload, he said: 'For the "wow the show is so scripted" crowd… Phase 1 of the plan is in motion. Introducing for the first time 2nd Lt Erb. Next stop Air Force pilot training.'
Aaron sensationally quit The Bachelorette in scenes that aired on Monday night, revealing that he was going to follow his dreams of becoming a pilot instead.
Speaking in his confessional, he said: 'I want Jenn to know that I appreciate who she is, but I'm being pulled in a different direction, and I've got to listen to my heart.
'I don't feel like I'm far enough along yet to turn away from everything else and give this everything I have right now.'
Aaron has debunked the theory on Instagram, revealing that he has plans to train for the Air Force
After breaking the news to Jenn, Aaron threw another curveball by the telling her that not all the single men were 'ready' for an engagement – but refused to reveal who they were.
'I care about you,' he said. 'There are so many good guys downstairs, and I just want you to make the right decision for you.
'I'm not going to name names, but there are people who are not ready.'
His decision not to disclose the identities of the alleged unready singletons infuriated Jenn who declared it was 'not fair' that he was being secretive.
Earlier this month, Aaron sparked suspicion about The Bachelorette's authenticity when fans spotted that he gifted Devin a fake book - Principles for Self-Growth by Dr Brandon O' Conner.
After discovering that no such book exists online – on top of noticing that the novel had a spelling mistake on the spine - many concluded producers had faked it specifically to create drama for the show.
