I think the show is fixed by having a character like Pete in there, however I don't think the golden ball being 14 was fixed.

As for Nikki and Pete shouting 14 they saw someone they knew and wanted them in as opposed to the strangers.
I think their only choice of men would have been ones like Eugene from last year.
I’m still interested in why it was 34 contestants what happened to the other 24 tickets that were found?
I’d be interested in the reasons why and how they cut it down to 34?

I doubt it was a fix and eve if it was tey would have chosen a much more interesting HM