The star of the 'Golden Bachelor' season 1, Gerry Turner, has turned down an invitation to join 'Bachelor in Paradise'. Discover why he refused and what it takes for him to return to the franchise.
- March 29, 2025
AceShowbiz - Gerry Turner, the charming 73-year-old star fronting the inaugural season of "The Golden Bachelor," recently turned down a spot on ABC's "Bachelor in Paradise." Although fans were excited to see more of his journey for love, he has decided not to extend his Bachelor Nation voyage to the beaches of Mexico for the show's upcoming tenth season.
In a candid conversation with TMZ on Thursday, March 27, Gerry revealed he was offered a place on "Bachelor in Paradise" but declined three weeks ago. He explained his decision, noting that he has already dated all the women from his season who will appear on the show.
"I've already established there's no romantic spark there," Gerry shared, adding that he would be more open to participating if new women were to join the cast. "If new women come into the mix, that might be different," he hinted.
Host Jesse Palmer recently disclosed that ABC's upcoming season of "Bachelor in Paradise" will feature "The Golden Bachelor" and "The Golden Bachelorette" contestants for the first time, alongside the typical Bachelor and Bachelorette alumni.
While the premise wasn't enticing enough for Gerry to pack his bags just yet, he is open to making cameo appearances or even taking a guest role as the Paradise bartender if needed.
Gerry's journey on "The Golden Bachelor" ended in engagement to Theresa Nist. They then tied the knot during a televised special, "The Golden Wedding," two months later. Unfortunately, their fairy tale came to an end as the couple mutually decided to divorce in April 2024, largely due to logistical challenges of living in different states.
Adding to the complexity of his life, Gerry was diagnosed with an incurable "bone marrow cancer" around the same time he was trying to make things work with Theresa. Although Gerry insists his diagnosis wasn't a major factor in their split, it inevitably impacted his priorities, leading him to focus more on family.
For now, Gerry Turner has put further Bachelor Nation adventures on hold, focusing on healing and spending valuable time with his loved ones. Whether or not he'll reappear on future seasons remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Gerry Turner has left his mark on the franchise.
