Once the traditional home of the Bachelor and Bachelorette reality TV shows on Ten, an Australian version of The Golden Bachelor franchise has been picked up by a rival free-to-air network.

It was a hugely successful series that debuted in the United States last year featuring a 71-year-old Golden Bachelor, retired restaurateur Gerry Turner, with the season premiere drawing in 11.10 million viewers across linear and streaming platforms within seven days.

Its finale in December reached an audience of 6.1 million.

Although Nine’s older dating show, My Mum, Your Dad fell short of ratings success, it has rolled the dice and picked up a show about male seniors looking for love.

TV Blackbox revealed Nine would formally announce the local version of The Golden Bachelor at its annual upfront event in October, which showcases new, existing and revamped shows for next year.

“The network refused to be drawn on any programming announcements for 2025 when contacted,” it reported.

So who won the coveted title of the older Aussie Bachelor who finds love?

How many senior citizens auditioned, and who was successful remains a tightly held secret, as do the older women in the line-up.

We do know that Warner Bros. Australia was “looking [for] fun, active, and outgoing male seniors aged 60 or over who are divorced/widowed and open to meeting the next love of their life”.

They wanted to celebrate love at every age, and show that when it comes to finding love and romance?

“Age is just a number!”

It all came down to Leslie Fhima (pictured) and Theresa Nist for Gerry Turner. Photo: X/The Golden Bachelor

Not just about ‘sexy seniors’

Californian self-described Bachelor blogger and relationship psychologist Dr Diane Strachowski is all for it, saying it’s not just a show about “sexy seniors”.

“The Golden Bachelor deserves recognition for boldly distinguishing itself from the conventional Bachelor franchise,” she writes.

“The decision to rebrand and provide a new perspective on love and companionship among older adults is a welcome change.

“This isn’t merely Bachelor 2.0, it’s an entirely new and improved show that acknowledges the unique dating challenges faced by seniors.”

Unlike the tears and drama we’ve become accustomed to from the Bachelor and Bachelorette series, Daily Mail Australia reported last year this older version of the franchise will be “less about high-drama antics and more about genuine connection and companionship”.

“Producers are looking for their perfect male lead before they put out a call for female suitors to match.”

Unlike young Bachelors, who are looking for their life partner to build a house, home and have children with, Strachowski says older people looking for love have different priorities.

They might be a widower who “requires patience, love, and the ability to navigate through unique differences, especially when it comes to the complex relationships with their family [children] and yours”.

Who did Gerry choose?

He chose Theresa Nitz, 70, over Leslie Fhima, 64, reportedly “crushing her heart” in front of a live audience.

A man apparently meticulous about bill splitting and household accounting, he proposed to Nitz and met her adult children on the ABC America show.

“I’m so madly in love with you, Gerry, and I feel like for us, life isn’t over, I think the best is yet to come,” she told him. “Now that I found you, I don’t want to live without you.”

Turner told her, “You’re the person I can’t live without,” and got down on one knee.

After three months of marriage, the couple announced their decision to divorce during a joint interview on Good Morning America, which aired on April 12, the same day Turner officially filed, according to People.

– TND