In a delightful twist to their dating series, ABC recently revealed Gerry Turner, a 71-year-old Iowan native, as the central figure in the network’s forthcoming spinoff for senior citizens, “The Golden Bachelor”. The news was made public on “Good Morning America” on Monday.
Turner, a retired restaurateur now living by a picturesque lake in Indiana, has been presented as the face of the new dating venture. He’s a widower, having lost his wife of over four decades, Toni, in 2017. He is stepping back into the world of love and relationships with the desire to ignite a new chapter in his life.
“I’m an Iowan at heart but currently reside in Indiana, alongside a breathtaking lake. I relish all lake-based activities, from jet ski races to pontoon boat rides with my grandkids,” Turner shared with BachelorNation.com. “I have two wonderful daughters and two lovely granddaughters.”
Promoted by ABC as a mature adaptation of the iconic reality series, “The Golden Bachelor” is geared towards senior women who bring a wealth of experience, having navigated through life’s ups and downs, and are eager to kindle a spark of possibility in their golden years.
According to USA Today, the show’s casting call was looking for “active and outgoing single men and women in their ‘golden years’ and ‘senior citizens,'” typically individuals aged 65 and above.
Iowa has a long-standing relationship with the ‘Bachelor’ franchise. Several contestants and leads have called the state home, including Northeast Iowa farmer Chris Soules who had his own season in 2015. Additionally, Bloomfield native Mercedes Northup and Caleb Balgaard, a student of Iowa Western Community College, were part of the franchise’s recent seasons. Kelsey Weier, Miss Iowa USA 2017, and Derek Peth from Waverly, have also graced the series.
The new reality series, “The Golden Bachelor”, is all set to make its debut as a part of ABC’s Fall 2023 lineup, and viewers are eagerly waiting for the love-filled adventure to unfold.
