The longtime host of the 'Bachelor' franchise has decided to quit the TV show for good after he received backlash for seemingly defending contestant over alleged racist past.
- June 9, 2021
AceShowbiz - Chris Harrison has officially quit U.S. dating show "The Bachelor" after hosting for 19 years.
The TV favourite stepped back from the series earlier this year amid a race row after backing a contestant who was criticised for attending an antebellum-style party, which many insisted was linked to America's slavery past.
The woman at the centre of the drama, Rachael Kirkconnell, went on to win the heart of African-American Bachelor Matt James, and the couple has reunited following a much-publicised split, but Harrison's links to the franchise are over for good.
He was recently replaced as the host of "The Bachelorette" by two former contestants, Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe, and comedian David Spade will take over the "Bachelor in Paradise" show this summer (21).
Harrison was slammed for appearing to be dismissive of Kirkconnell's alleged racist behaviour in an "Extra" TV news interview with former "Bachelorette" Rachel Lindsay. Days later, he apologised and announced plans to step down from the dating show.
According to TMZ, he and ABC network bosses reached a confidential settlement on Monday night (07Jun21), and on Tuesday, Harrison took to his Instagram page to confirm his exit.
"I've had a truly incredible run as host of The Bachelor franchise and now I'm excited to start a new chapter," he wrote. "I'm so grateful to Bachelor Nation for all of the memories we've made together. While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I've made will last a lifetime."
However, the news of Harrison's departure appears to have stunned fans of the dating show franchise, many of whom have vowed to boycott it until the host is reinstated.
