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The Golden Bachelorette, featuring Joan Vassos, is set to premiere in September 2024. While fans are excited to see Joan’s journey to find love, they are already discussing who the next golden bachelor will be. While Gerry Turner didn’t turn out to be the prince fans initially thought he was, season 2 could bring about a better lead. Fans are hoping to see Kelsey Anderson’s father, Mark Anderson, step into the role of the next golden bachelor. There are two compelling reasons he could be the next lead and one reason he might not be chosen to find love on TV.

Mark Anderson is already known to Bachelor Nation

It is unclear what the casting team looks for in leads for The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette, but a compelling story seems to be at the top of their list. Anderson has that story. He doesn’t just have a compelling life story, though. As the father of the most recent winner of The Bachelor, he would be a “sure thing” for the series. He is already well-liked and well-known to fans of The Bachelor.

Kelsey Anderson's dad, Mark Anderson, in the hometowns episode of 'The Bachelor'
Mark Anderson | YouTube/ABC

Anderson made fans swoon when he appeared on The Bachelor season 28. Fans love his story, looks, and how he remains connected to his adult children. They want to see him find love, and they want to see it badly. Calls for him to appear as the next golden bachelor came the second he appeared on The Bachelor. It’s a good reason to make Mark Anderson the next golden bachelor.

Mark Anderson reportedly will appear on ‘The Golden Bachelorette’ but he won’t be the winner

Mark Anderson might be making his next Bachelor Nation appearance sooner than fans thought. He reportedly will appear on The Golden Bachelorette as a contestant. While rumors suggest his appearance won’t be a flash in the pan, like Patty James’ stint on The Golden Bachelor, it doesn’t seem like he’ll walk away with the final rose.

While season 1 of The Golden Bachelorette has yet to air, there are plenty of spoilers about the upcoming series. According to Reality Steve, Anderson hung in in the competition until the final rounds but was sent home before the infamous hometown dates.

If the sightings of Joan Vassos, the season’s lead, are correct, She had three hometown dates, but they were somewhere other than Louisiana. Presumably, Anderson finished in the top 5 of the competition. That appears to be the sweet spot when casting the next lead. His late-round dismissal could help him secure the lead role in The Golden Bachelor season 2.

His status as a widow could keep him away from the role

There are some compelling reasons to make Mark Anderson the lead of The Golden Bachelor season 2. Not everything is perfectly aligned, though. His status as a widower could hurt his chances. While fans of The Bachelor connected with Anderson because of the loss of his wife, it could prevent him from becoming the next golden bachelor. Sure, fans would love to see Anderson find his next great love after such a tragic loss, but he would be the third lead for the series who has lost their spouse. Could it be too much loss for one show? It’s possible.

Joan Vassos is seen on the set of 'The Bachelor' in 2023.
Joan Vassos with Gerry Turner | Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images
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Gerry Turner, the first-ever golden bachelor, was a widower. He lost his wife, Toni Turner, after a brief illness. Gerry and Toni Turner were married for more than 40 years. Joan Vassos, who will appear as the first-ever golden bachelorette, also lost her spouse. John Vassos died from pancreatic cancer in 2021. Joan and John Vassos were married for 32 years at the time of his death.

While the story of a widow or widower is compelling, the production team might be interested in telling a different story about finding love later in life for season 2 of The Golden Bachelor. A divorced man or a lifelong bachelor might feel fresher and offer a new storyline for fans to engage with.

We won’t know much about The Golden Bachelor season 2 for many months. Still, if rumors are correct, you’ll see plenty of Mark Anderson on The Golden Bachelorette.