Chris Harrison Not Ready to Star as 'Bachelor'
Chris Harrison told ETonline he won't be signing up to star as The Bachelor "any time soon." The newly-single host recently announced splitting from Gwen, his wife of 18 years.
Related: Chris Harrison & Wife Announce Separation
"In all seriousness, getting out of a 22-year relationship, having two kids, and trying to [find] a new life, I'm thinking I wouldn’t be a good candidate," he said of the casting prospect.
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His personal pitfall will only better equip the empathetic host to offer contestants consoling advice. "Having loved myself and now felt heartbreak, I know what these people have gone through. I know what they're searching for. Everybody wants love. Everybody wants companionship. That's what makes the show so genius."
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Chris didn't shy away from addressing adulterous rumors that surfaced two years ago. "There was a contestant on the show who accused me of hitting on or flirting with one of the producer's wives," he acknowledged. The tabloids incorrectly spun it to be a cheating allegation. "It was completely a non-issue two years ago and completely a non-issue now," he said to set the record straight that it did not contribute to his divorce.
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Will Chris ever hand out a rose to a lucky lady again? "I hopefully will fall in love again," he said optimistically. "Maybe more than ever, I believe in the search and what everybody is doing on the show… I haven't had a date in 22 years." Having traveled the world and witnessed elaborate dates, Chris certainly has some tricks up his sleeve to sweep a woman off her feet.
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Emily Maynard will be handing out a bouquet full of roses when The Bachelorette premieres on Monday, May 14 on ABC. She isn't the only gal looking for a male counterpart. Kelly Ripa is playing the fictional role of Bachelorette on Live with Kelly in her search for a new co-host. Chris will fill the seat next to her again on May 16 and 17, so perhaps he'll be on the receiving end in the rose ceremony.