Golden Bachelor lovebirds Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden and Sunny Long have opened up about their unconventional romance.The reality TV couple, who met on the inaugural Australian season of The Golden Bachelor, told Daily Mail they have embraced a ‘living apart together’ arrangement while they slowly combine their families and established lives.’In a way, we kind of live together…’ Sunny explained during an exclusive sit-down alongside Bear.Sunny said the pair remain in constant contact despite maintaining separate residences, with Bear messaging her every morning and every night.’He checks on me every day and comes over, and then I sometimes go to his place,’ she added.Bear said the arrangement made sense because both stars already had careers, homes and children before finding love on reality television. Golden Bachelor lovebirds Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden and Sunny Long have opened up about their unconventional romance The reality TV couple, who met on the inaugural Australian season of The Golden Bachelor, told Daily Mail they have embraced a ‘living apart together’ arrangement ‘If we were younger, if we were just building our relationship, then of course we would be [living together],’ he said.’We both have our own careers and our own families, and we’re slowly integrating them.’My boys still need some looking after, as do Sunny’s daughters and son. So it’s coming together.’The candid admission comes as the pair continue to face speculation about both an engagement and a possible split.Sunny was seen wearing a glittering ring during the interview, but Bear insisted it was the same commitment ring presented to her on the show – not an engagement ring.’Not at this stage, no,’ Bear said when asked whether they were engaged. ‘We just want to take one step at a time. That’s what we said from the start.’Sunny described herself as the more emotional and spontaneous partner, while Bear was ‘calm and grounded’.Bear added that at their stage of life, a major commitment involved far more than just the two of them.[embedded content] ‘In a way, we kind of live together…’ Sunny explained during an exclusive sit-down Join the discussionIs living apart the secret to lasting love or just delaying real commitment in relationships?What’s your view?’We’re older and we’ve lived and lost, and we both have our careers and our homes and our families, and we’re integrating all that together,’ he said.’It’s coming,’ he added. Asked whether he felt pressured by fans who wanted them to take the next step, Bear said they would make an announcement only when they were ready.’It’s our life. If we’ve got something to announce, we’ll announce it at our own time,’ he said.The couple also dismissed breakup chatter, explaining that speculation flared whenever they were not photographed or posting together.Sunny said recent time apart was simply the result of business trips to Taiwan and Korea, while Bear also balances full-time work with being a father.’If we’re not together, seen together all the time, then rumours start,’ Bear said. ‘And they’re only rumours.’Far from being on the rocks, Sunny said her feelings for Bear had grown stronger since filming wrapped more than a year ago.’The love I’m having for him now is an extension, but a deeper level,’ she said.’Whether it’s beautiful or ugly, you realise you embrace the reality. At our age, I think we compromise more, and with wisdom over chaos.’Bear agreed, saying: ‘It did take a while to build and grow, but certainly, yes, we are very much in love.’While the couple now enjoy considerably more freedom, Bear also revealed the bizarre conditions he endured while filming the Channel Nine dating show.The 61-year-old said he was housed alone in a mansion and closely monitored by a chaperone, with virtually no contact with the outside world. Sunny said her feelings for Bear had grown stronger since filming wrapped ‘I had a full mansion to myself, basically,’ he said. ‘But I had a chaperone and they made me stay inside.’Although he had access to a gym, food and ‘maybe a few drinks here and there’, he said contestants were completely cut off from normal life.’We were closely guarded. There was no contact with the outside world,’ he said.’I got to call my boys for 15 minutes once a week, and that’s it. Your life is shut down.’Sunny said phones, laptops, credit cards and passports were confiscated during production – and claimed even the remote control was removed from her hotel room.’Everything,’ she said. ‘So we wouldn’t escape, I think.’Despite the intense experience, the pair said they would happily return to reality television and even floated the possibility of allowing a future wedding to be filmed.’We’re going to cross that bridge when we get to it,’ Sunny said. ‘We like privacy, but never say never. We’re open to any possibilities.’And when asked where they hoped to be by this time next year, Bear said: ‘Still laughing, still learning about each other.’Sunny added: ‘More in love – and maybe we are in the next stage, the next phase of our life. Let’s leave it as a mystery.’The Golden Bachelor has been nominated for a Logie, with the 2026 ceremony to be held on Sunday, August 16.