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It’s the question that Bachelor fans have been wondering for weeks, “Is Chris Harrison returning to the show?” Following backlash for him failing to denounce Old South parties, Harrison announced that he would be taking a hiatus from the show. Up until now, there was no information about when Harrison would return to the franchise, if ever. Now, Harrison has just answered that question.

Chris Harrison on 'The Bachelor' Season 25 in 2021
Chris Harrison on ‘The Bachelor’ Season 25 | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images

Chris Harrison’s interview with Rachel Lindsay

Things went south for Harrison when he did an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay where he defended contestant Rachael Kirkconnell’s attendance at an antebellum party. He even went as far as to say that parties of that nature weren’t that bad in 2018.

“Is it a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021?” he said. “I don’t disagree with you. You’re 100 percent right — in 2021. That was not the case in 2018. Again, I’m not defending Rachael. I just know, I don’t know, 50 million people did that in 2018… that was a type of party that a lot of people went to.”

Fans wondered who would be the new host

After an initial apology did nothing to quiet calls for Harrison to lose his job, he announced that he would be taking a break from the franchise.

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‘The Bachelor’: Has Chris Harrison Ever Left the Show Before?

“This historic season of ‘The Bachelor’ should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions,” he said in an  Instagram post. “To that end, I have consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and will be stepping aside for a period of time and will not join for the After the Final Rose special.”

After his announcement, fans wondered who would replace Harrison. Some thought Lindsay would be the obvious choice, however she was hesitant to take on the role.

“Honestly, I can’t even go there,” she said on the Black Girls Texting podcast. “Because one, Chris has only said that he’s stepping aside, and that’s all that I know, that he’s not doing the finale. It’s hard for me to even think about being the host, because in a lot of ways, Bachelor Nation has changed my life in the best way possible. But at the same time, it’s really toxic. … And I don’t know if I want to subject myself to that.”

Is Chris Harrison returning to ‘The Bachelor’?

After weeks of silence, Harrison did an exclusive interview with Good Morning America where he revealed that he was working on himself for the good of the franchise.

“I am an imperfect man, I made a mistake and I own that,” he said. “I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to progress, not just for myself, also for the franchise. And this is a franchise that has been a part of my life for the better part of 20 years and I love it.”

He also told fans that he plans to return to the franchise.

“I plan to be back and I want to be back. And I think this franchise can be an important beacon of change,” said Harrison. “I know that change is felt, not just by me, but by many others. And we are excited and willing to do the work to show that progress.”

“This interview is not the finish line,” he continued. “There is much more work to be done. And I am excited to be a part of that change.”

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