Jake Pavelka was announced as the new "Bachelor" on an episode of "Dancing with the Stars." Now ET can confirm the start date for the new season of "The Bachelor."

The 31-year-old commercial pilot will get a second chance at love when the hit romance reality series premieres Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Jake will meet the 25 bachelorettes who hope to win his heart when "The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love" is broadcast in high definition for the first time.

The new bachelor knows himself well enough to know that he's not made to live alone. He just needs to find the right woman -- his best friend and soulmate. Searching for a woman who is intelligent, confident, energetic and spontaneous, he admits that he can't wait for fatherhood.

Fans of the series fell in love with Jake on his solo date with Jillian Harris to see Martina McBride, and ever since, millions of women have had their 'Top Gun' fantasies about him. A favorite for his reputation as an honest guy with an open heart -- not to mention his good looks -- viewers were stunned when Jillian rejected Jake right before the hometown dates on last season's "The Bachelorette." But women were drawn to him even more when Jake returned of his own accord in the next episode to protect Jillian from men who were not there for the right reasons. Jake -- who already knew Jillian would not take him back -- freely shared and showed his emotions.

Now it's Jake turn. Tune in on January 4 to meet the women hoping to land this pilot as their own.