Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
In totally shocking news (kidding!), ABC has officially announced Clayton Echard as the next star of The Bachelor. The former NFL player will headline Season 26 of the reality dating franchise’s flagship series, which premieres on January 3 and is hosted by Jesse Palmer.
The reveal came at the end of Tuesday’s Bachelorette episode, in which lead Michelle Young went on hometown dates with her final four suitors.
“I’m just a Midwest guy from Missouri that just wants to find love,” Echard says in the first teaser for his season. “And I believe more than anything that my future wife is here.”
Echard was eliminated from Young’s season of The Bachelorette last week, shortly after she realized she wasn’t ready to meet his family. “I just want to find love so badly and have a family, and start that chapter of my life,” he said tearfully during his limo exit. “I want it more than anything else and I’ll do whatever it takes to get that.”
Before Young’s season debuted, rumors about Echard’s casting began swirling in September when photos of him with a film crew were shared with E! News. Palmer previously shared a behind-the-scenes photo of himself with the newest Bachelor on Instagram during filming earlier this fall.
Palmer, who is also a former NFL player and Bachelor veteran, referred to Echard as his “bigger, better looking brother from another mother.” But will he find love on his Bachelor journey? You’ll have to wait and see!
The Bachelor Season 26 premieres Monday, January 3 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
