'Bachelorette' co-host Tayshia Adams on her ex Blake Moynes crashing Katie Thurston's season

A former "Bachelorette" contestant is returning to the franchise to shake things up for Katie Thurston.

Blake Moynes, who dated Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams last summer on "The Bachelorette," crashed Monday's episode in a big way: "I promise you that if it came down to the end and we connected the way that I think that we might, we would be engaged at the end of this," he tells the star.

For Moynes, a 30-year-old wildlife manager from Ontario, returning to the franchise also meant a run-in with his ex, Adams, who was one of two stars last year before stepping in this year to co-host the show with fellow former "Bachelorette" star Kaitlyn Bristowe.

In an interview with USA TODAY earlier this month, Adams reflected on reconnecting with the man who made it in her top 8 contestants last year before she got engaged to winner Zac Clark.

"I was like, honey, you took the wrong plane, you're landing at the wrong hotel and the wrong show," Adams joked.

"I actually really care about Blake. He is such a genuine and sincere person and to be honest with you, I've always encouraged for him to follow his heart. If that led him to New Mexico (this season's filming location) and on Katie's season, then so be it. I really stand by him. So whatever he wanted to do, I was there for."

Interview: 'Bachelorette' co-hosts Tayshia Adams, Kaitlyn Bristowe on 'father figure' Chris Harrison's exit

During the episode, Katie reveals that Blake DMed her following her appearance on Matt James' season of "The Bachelor" earlier this year "to commend me for my bold personality."

She's surprised to see Blake, but also concerned – she just dealt with drama in the house over Thomas, who other contestants notified her joined the show for the chance to become the next "Bachelor." Blake has already dated two "Bachelorette" stars, Katie points out (though to be fair, he only signed up for one season), and she worries he may just be returning to the show to get another 15 minutes of fame.

"I wish that I could have met you in another circumstance," he tells her. "This is the last place I want to do this. The risk of this going terribly and me looking like a complete idiot is high, but the reward is so much greater than that risk for me. … I would regret (it) forever if I didn't do this."

Fast forward through a rose ceremony that sent home Christian, Conor C., David, Justin and wanna-be "Bachelor" star Thomas, Katie stops by Blake's hotel room for an unexpected chat during which she invites him to officially join the remaining 14 contestants.

"I have to really follow my gut," she says. "Given where things are at and how I’m feeling, if you want to stay I'd like you to join and see if this becomes something, if that interests you."

It does, and a still slightly flabbergasted but elated Blake accepts.

A teaser for next week confirms the other men in the house struggle with the new addition, whom they see as a "big contender."

"I know they're not happy to see me," Blake says of his new peers.

Last week's recap: Katie reveals past sexual assault: 'Consent is important and I did not give it'

Interview: 'Bachelorette' star Katie Thurston talks Chris Harrison absence in her 'unexpected' new season

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blake 'Bachelorette': Tayshia Adams on her ex crashing Katie's season