ABC Strikes Gold: Meet the Breakout Star of the Revolutionary 'Bachelor' Spinoff for Seniors!

The Golden Bachelor's inaugural season is showcasing love's timeless nature.

Gerry Turner, the trailblazing senior lead, made his formal debut on the July 17th episode of Good Morning America. Expressing his elation, the 71-year-old remarked, "It's an incredible feeling, and I'm still processing it." He further mentioned his desire to find a vivacious companion.

Gerry reflected on his journey to reality TV and humorously mentioned that his daughters were ecstatic when host Jesse Palmer informed him of the good news. He also shared details about his previous marriage to Toni, his high school sweetheart, who sadly passed away in 2017.

“I keep her photograph on a dresser in my closet. … For a while, I struggled with the thought of whether she would approve of me moving on,” he expressed. “However, we always had a pact that if one of us passed away, we would want the other one to find happiness. I believe she's cheering me on from above.”

Prior to the Bachelor and Bachelorette spinoff, fans were given a first look at what was to come. A teaser showcased the franchise's iconic red rose transforming into a dazzling gold hue.

In May, ABC finally confirmed their readiness to share "a completely different type of love story" after years of searching for older contestants. A press release posed the question, "As the women enter the mansion, each with a lifetime of experiences filled with love, loss, and laughter, they hope for a spark that can ignite a future filled with limitless possibilities. Ultimately, will our Golden man turn the page and embark on a new chapter with the woman of his dreams?"

Gerry Turner ABC/Brian Bowen Smith

The Golden Bachelor gives its lucky hopefuls the chance to find “a partner with whom to share the sunset years of life,” the network added.

Ads for casting began airing during Peter Weber's 24th season of The Bachelor, which premiered in early 2020. According to Variety, filming for the newly developed series was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but producers remained optimistic about its eventual success.

ABC's Rob Mills explained that this iteration of The Bachelor would differ from previous seasons, as the contestants would be in a different stage of life. He mentioned the intriguing aspect of individuals who have experienced various life milestones such as raising children, facing widowhood or divorce, and potentially never having experienced love before. The producers believed this unique dynamic would add an interesting perspective to the show.

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At the time, Mills suggested that the format would be recognizable to dedicated fans of Bachelor Nation, but with subtle modifications. He explained, "It encompasses everything you adore about The Bachelor, yet senior citizens are adored because they bring forth unique love stories."

Interest in The Golden Bachelor soared even higher in early 2022, during season 26 with Clayton Echard. As part of the limo arrivals on the first night, a contestant named Holly, who was 63 at the time, arrived at the Bachelor Mansion and jokingly told Clayton, "I'm here for the other Bachelor, you know, so I feel like I'm in the wrong place."

The Golden Bachelor is scheduled to begin in September, airing on Mondays following Dancing With the Stars. Supporters are currently following Charity Lawson's journey on the 20th season of The Bachelorette.

"In June, Charity shared exclusively with us her advice on falling in love with multiple contestants during the process. She encouraged everyone to test it out for themselves, stating, 'I don't know when you'll have the chance to be the Bachelorette or Bachelor, but give it a try in the real world and you'll see.'"