"You did not receive a rose": Chris Harrison gets officially ousted as host of the Bachelor franchise
Los Angeles, California – The future for Chris Harrison might be bleak after the Bachelor franchise confirmed it is officially parting ways with their longtime host.
The last few months have been a whirlwind in Bachelor Nation and for the franchise itself, thanks to the backlash over former host Chris Harrison's defense of a contestant's racist past.
Over the last few months, fans of the franchise have wondered whether Harrison would ever return to his iconic role after spending time away to "do the work."
As of Tuesday, Deadline reported that Harrison will not be returning to the show or any of its spinoffs, like Bachelor in Paradise, ever again.
The news came just hours after the season premiere of The Bachelorette, where Katie Thurston met her brand-new suitors and sent eight home.
"I've had a truly incredible run as host," Harrison wrote on his Instagram on Tuesday. "While my two-decade journey is wrapping up, the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime."The franchise and its many constituents have apparently been in communication with Harrison since he was booted from the show, working through long-term details, payouts, and other legal stipulations leading towards his permanent departure from the show.
Though the details of the parting deal between Harrison and the Bachelor franchise haven't been publicly released, according to Deadline, there are rumors that it includes an eight-figure payout – so long as Harrison keeps his mouth shut about the show's alleged dirty laundry.
The news of Harrison not returning after 19 years might seem jarring, but after watching Tayshia Adams (30) and Kaitlyn Bristowe (35) totally crush their co-hosting gig on the season premiere of The Bachelorette Monday night, hopes are high for the rebranding of the franchise.
Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Instagram/chrisbharrison