Meet the Star of ABC’s New Show: ‘The Golden Bachelor’ for Senior Citizens

ABC‘s highly anticipated senior citizen spinoff of “The Golden Bachelor” is finally happening, and the network has introduced the star of the show, 71-year-old Gerry Turner. This marks the first time in the franchise’s 20-year history that an older adult will be the focus of the show.

The promotional materials for “The Golden Bachelor” reveal that the leading man is indeed more mature than the typical contestants on “The Bachelor” franchise. The key art shows a glimpse of the back of his head, featuring salt-and-pepper hair and beard.

ABC had been teasing the idea of a senior citizen version of “The Bachelor” for quite some time, leading to speculation among social media users about the age of the star. Many wondered if the show would feature only slightly older contestants or truly center around senior citizens.

‘The Golden Bachelor’ for Senior Citizens

The network has delivered on its promise by casting Gerry Turner as the star of the senior citizen spinoff. The upcoming season, set to premiere in the fall, will showcase a “whole new kind of love story — one for the golden years.” According to the network’s synopsis, a “hopeless romantic is given a second chance at love in the search for a partner with whom to share the sunset years of life.”

Promotional casting calls for a senior citizen version of “The Bachelor” had been featured during previous seasons of the show, leaving viewers curious about whether the concept would actually come to fruition.

In the first trailer for “The Golden Bachelor,” Gerry Turner is introduced to the American audience. He is shown standing in front of a mirror, dressed in a suit and wearing hearing aids. The voiceover highlights some lighthearted aspects of his personality, referring to his social media presence and sense of humor about aging.

Rob Mills, Disney’s top unscripted TV executive, expressed excitement about the series, stating that it offers a unique twist on “The Bachelor” formula. The show explores the dynamics of individuals who have reached a different stage in their lives, having raised children, experienced loss, and perhaps never found love. Mills believes this perspective will bring an interesting dimension to the show.

“The Golden Bachelor” is the latest expansion in “The Bachelor” franchise, which has aired 60 seasons since its debut in 2002. The franchise includes the flagship series “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” and “Bachelor in Paradise.” While the ratings for the franchise have declined over the years, as is the case with many long-running network shows, the announcement of “The Golden Bachelor” has generated significant buzz and reignited interest among fans, thanks to its fresh approach to the beloved format.