It’s safe to say we’re all still in shock after

dream man

all-around good guy James Trethewie was denied a rose byThe Bachelorette‘s Sophie Monk last night.

If you’re still screaming ‘WHAT?!’ and ‘HOW?!’ at the shock decision (especially since we were 99 per cent convinced James would make it to hometowns based on his Instagram post last week), Sophie has shared her reasons for sending James packing on Instagram.

“James is the perfect guy,” she wrote.

“Unfortunately I’m not the perfect person for him.”

The 37-year-old – who must now choose between Apollo, Blake, Jarrod and Stu – said her decision was largely based on what she’s learned from past relationships.

But he was just so... perfect... Image via Channel 10.

"He is organised, together and tidy. I've dated a guy like him before and I'd do his head in," she shared.

"He'll find a better girl than me."

Despite clarifying her choice, fans were still "unimpressed" that James was denied a chance at true love with Sophie.

"Couldn't even watch her say goodbye... I was so annoyed I left the room," one fan wrote.

Others called the decision the "biggest mistake" of Sophie's life.

'Are you watching the Bachelorette tomorrow?' 'Is James still in?' 'No' Me: #bacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/UIWQCSfaJ9

— @Jemmalee (@jjemmalee93) October 18, 2017

Why Sophie whyyyyyyyyy?! James was the best one!!! #BacheloretteAU pic.twitter.com/RX0wrHVdzm

— Ashlee Miller (@ash_bash_3000) October 18, 2017

As if you wouldn’t keep James?! I would choose him over my own boyfriend!!! ???????????? #BacheloretteAU

— Gem ???? (@ggemmmmmma) October 18, 2017

As upset as fans were to see James say goodbye, no one was more heartbroken than the 31-year-old himself, who shared a heart-wrenching post on Instagram after his elimination.

"This is hard to share, but also really important for me as part of the healing process..." he began.

"Soph, I'm so incredibly grateful to have met you, for the experiences and feelings we shared. You're an incredibly beautiful and compassionate human inside and out, I wish you all the best and know whatever decision you have made it'll be the best one for you, which makes me happy.

"I honestly thought and could see myself standing there with you at the end, it was a shock for me to leave tonight... I know we were told we're not compatible...I know the feelings and chemistry were real."

James also said he was proud that he got to show Australia his true self, and teach others that you can be a "manly man" while still having "respect for women and allow them to be empowered and to be themselves."

"It's also okay as a guy to show some emotion from time to time. I'm grateful for growing up surrounded by beautiful women who showed me this," he wrote.

Despite his (and our) heartbreak at not being the final man standing beside Sophie, there's a silver lining to all of this: James has revealed he is more than up to the challenge of being our very next Bachelor. Speaking to Confidential, James said he'd be "open" to becoming "Matty J2.0".

"If everything lined up I wouldn't rule it out," he said.

Now... where's that link to apply to be a contestant?

LISTEN to the episode of Bach Chat where we all fell in love with James at the same time: