Love knows no age, as ABC is hoping viewers will learn this fall when they tune into their latestBachelorspinoff,The Golden Bachelor.
OnGood Morning AmericaMonday, the network announcedGerry Turneras its first-everGolden Bachelorstar.
“It’s never too late to fall in love again,” the 71-year-old Indiana father of two and retired restaurateur said on the show. “Don’t give up, there’s always possibilities.”
Turner, who’s first name is pronounced GAIR-ee, married his high school sweetheart, Toni, in 1974 — the two living a “full and happy life” with their two daughters, Angie and Jenny, and later two granddaughters, Charlee and Payton. But after 43 years together, Toni fell ill and died in 2017, just six weeks after she retired.
ABC/Brian Bowen Smith
‘Golden Bachelor’ Gerry Turner with Jenny Young, Angie Warner, Payton Young and Charlie Young.ABC/Brian Bowen Smith
Turner’s daughters were the ones who suggested he sign up for the show, he said. He told the ABC news morning show he signed up because he knew he had “nothing to lose.”
“I’d love it if I found a partner who is high energy. Someone who was high-energy. Someone who maybe plays pickleball; someone who maybe plays golf.”
According toThe Golden Bachelor’s official synopsis, Turner “lives in his dream house on a beautiful lake in Indiana. He’s often busy hosting barbecues, playing pickleball, cheering on his favorite Chicago sports teams, four-wheeling, and spending time with friends and family at restaurants and local haunts.”
As for getting married again, Turner tellsGMA, “I wouldn’t discount it.”
The Bachelorteased onits social media accountsFriday that it will be “looking to the future with rose gold lenses” and that theGolden Bacheloris“for mature audiences only.”
The franchise has beengearing up for the new series since 2020when it began a casting call for people enjoying their “golden years” who would be interested in an “exciting new dating show.”
Gerry Turner, star of ‘The Golden Bachelor’.ABC/Brian Bowen Smith
In May, ABC announced thatThe Golden Bachelorwill premiere this fall, as will season 9 ofBachelor in Paradise.
“After more than 20 years of fostering young love onThe Bachelor,The BacheloretteandBachelor in Paradise,The Golden Bachelorshowcases a whole new kind of love story — one for the golden years,” ABC said in a statement at the time. “On this all-new unscripted series, one hopeless romantic is given a second chance at love in the search for a partner with whom to share the sunset years of life. The women arriving at the mansion have a lifetime of experience, living through love, loss and laughter, hoping for a spark that ignites a future full of endless possibilities.”
Presley Ann/Getty
The debut season ofThe Bachelorpremiered in 2002 with Alex Michel serving as the first lead.The Bachelorettepremiered the following year withTrista Rehn (Sutter)handing out the roses. Trista, 50, and her final rose recipient,Ryan Sutter, tied the knot in December 2003 and have since welcomedtwo children together.
Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The Golden Bachelorwill premiere this fall on ABC.
source: people.com
