‘Golden Bachelor’ Bombshell! Gerry Turner Finally Admits He “Dated A Number Of Women” Before His Televised Marriage Proposal To Theresa Nist

The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner has responded to the claims made about him in a recent exposé from The Hollywood Reporter, which included an ex-girlfriend of his coming forward to reveal an almost three-year relationship with him following his wife Toni’s passing.

According to THR, Turner spoke to Katie Couric on behalf of Katie Couric Media just a day after the show’s finale to clear the air after his ex alleged that she dated and lived with Turner for nearly two years prior to his turn on the reality dating show.

“I guess I would say this: I dated a number of women, but then it becomes an issue of how you define whether you’re in a relationship,” he explained. “The relationship referenced in The Hollywood Reporter] really didn’t [last a few years]. But I want to focus on what’s going on now.”

He also tackled the claims that his “retired restaurateur” title was false after THR reported that he held various positions after reportedly retiring at 55. Turner likened the business he owned to the Cadillac Diner that he and fiancée Theresa Nist visited on their first date.

“I sold burgers and fries and shakes, and it was a very profitable business,” he shared. “And the comments about what I did later in life, I did those after I retired. I retired at 55, and I was very happy giving back to the community and doing things that were worth something to other people. I mean, jeez, I didn’t work as a handyman for the money. I did it because I knew I was doing something good for people who needed help.”

Noting that “there’s just enough truth” in the exposé, he argued that he has “so many positives to think about that [he hasn’t] really given that article a whole lot of thought.”

In an additional interview with The New York Times, Turner, who said he gave the THR article “a cursory look,” reiterated a similar sentiment, telling the outlet, “I guess I haven’t really looked at it as how accurate it is.”

“I’ve more looked at it in terms of timing, and how it really doesn’t fit with all of the positive things that are going on in my life right now,” he continued. “I mean, I’m sitting across from Theresa right now, and I look at her and she’s the love of my life. And I really don’t have time to think about some of the other stuff.”

The Golden Bachelor is streaming on Hulu. For more information on Turner and Nist’s upcoming televised Golden Wedding, read here.