The parents of The Bachelorette singleton Sam McKinney have left fans cringing after they appeared to take to social media to defend their son’s character claiming he’s been ‘made into the villain’ by the show’s ‘manipulative’ editing – but did not provide evidence.

Susan and Jeff McKinney both seemingly flocked to Facebook following Monday night’s episode to slam network bosses for making the 27-year-old contractor look like a ‘horrendous guy’ and alleged scenes had been ‘cut and pasted.’

Their supposed statements came after their son pushed Bachelorette Jenn Tran into doing a skywalk during a date and badmouthed fellow singleton Devin Strader, calling him a ‘little b****.’

Taking to Facebook, Sam’s mother Susan allegedly claimed her son’s character was ‘destroyed’ and ‘manipulated’ through editing.

In a now-deleted post, which has been shared on Reddit, she appeared to write: ‘There is nothing real about “reality” TV. To destroy someone’s character and manipulate the truth through editing is wrong on so many levels.

‘Isn’t it interesting that the first night favorite is now being made into the villain?

‘There are several spoilers out there for who she chooses in the end that you can Google for yourself. Sam is a good guy regardless of how he is portrayed and I will no longer sit idly by and not speak up. Hey The Bachelorette, it’s called free speech. At least mine is honest which is more than they can say.’

Sam’s father Jeff also seemingly posted a status following Monday’s episode, in which he expressed belief that it had been ‘fabricated’ to ‘paint Sam as this horrendous guy.’

He seemed to write: ‘I choose my words wisely. I have sat idly by this week watching my son a complete wreck on how he was portrayed.

‘Sam has (mostly) been the favorite with the first impression rose, etc. The spoiler was revealed and (in my opinion) the network had to paint Sam as this horrendous guy in order for Jenn not to look like a complete idiot.

‘Now I know why the network offers free counselling for one year after the show.’

He continued: ‘I feel this episode was all fabricated with cut and paste sentences and scenes.

‘Can’t change what he said and how he said it, but they can change the scene, script, and context and totally change the delivery.’

He signed off his post with the hashtag ‘Stand with Sam.’

Jeff has previously voiced his support for his son’s appearance on the show on Facebook, writing on July 8: ‘Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!! My son Sam will be on The Bachelorette tonight.

‘Say a prayer for us tonight. We are going to have a blast!!! I wish my Mom, Dad, and Brother were here to watch with us.’

Although Jeff and Susan’s supposed posts slamming The Bachelorette have since been deleted, they were shared widely on Reddit prompting a barrage of viewers to brand their involvement ’embarrassing.’

One wrote: ‘This behavior from Sam and his family is honestly more icky than his behavior on the show.

‘If I saw my family acting like this on social media I’d be mortified and tell them to delete the comments. Having your family fight your battles over one bad episode is bizarre.’

Another said: ‘It’s honestly embarrassing. He is literally a grown man. I have a feeling being her daughter in law would be a nightmare.’

Echoing a similar sentiment, a third added: ‘This is so embarrassing. Sam M., get your boomer parents off Facebook!’

‘They do know he signed a contract giving ABC the right to use and alter his likeness, image, and reputation how they please… right?’ a fourth pointed out.

A fifth said: ‘What do you think your son signed up for? We all know how reality TV works! Wow they are big whiners!’

ABC did not respond to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.

At the beginning last night’s week four episode, Sam M made Jenn feel uncomfortable after deciding that she would be doing a skywalk 629ft above the city of Auckland – despite her repeatedly insisting that she does not like heights.

Speaking in her confessional, Jenn said: ‘I’m frustrated with Sam right now. He made a decision for the both of us.

‘He tells the waiter that we’re jumping without even asking me how I’m feeling about it. I’m annoyed. I don’t want to.’

Speaking to Sam M, she continued: ‘This isn’t fun for me. I’m not doing it.’

‘You’re doing it,’ Sam M replied before reaching out his glass and adding, ‘Cheers to growth. Cheers to conquering our fears.’

As Jenn declared that her date would be unable to convince her to do the skywalk, he then quipped, ‘I’ll give you a little push.’

Eventually, the pair stepped outside where a petrified Jenn broke down in tears, frustrated that Sam M couldn’t read her emotions.

However, after some reassurance from her date, she was able to overcome her fear and do the skywalk.

The scenes sparked outrage from viewers, who were quick to brand Sam M a ‘red flag.’

‘I do not like how long it took for him to stop thinking of himself,’ one wrote on Instagram.

Another said: ‘He was so rude not to ask Jen if she wanted to jump and assume she did. That was a red flag that he may be controlling!’

Elsewhere in the episode, Sam M reignited his feud with fellow contestant Devin.

Speaking in his confessional after the pair were left in a room together, Sam M said: ‘The guy that I care for least is here, Devin.

‘Today, I’m gonna try and get to the bottom of why he acts like such a little b**** around me.’