Nine has revealed the cast of The Golden Bachelor, including Brisbane and Gold Coast radio identity Bianca Dye. In addition, Abbie Chatfield’s mother, Laura Junner, is among the 20 women who will compete on the show. The “Golden” indicates a format variation for older contestants.

The cast of the first The Golden Bachelor Australia (Nine)

Chatfield herself first came to prominence on the seventh season of The Bachelor Australia on Channel 10 in 2019. From there, she went on to appear on Bachelor in Paradise Australia in 2020, win I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here in 2021, and host Love Island Afterparty Australia.

In recent years, she has been a panellist on the now-retired The Masked Singer Australia, and previously hosted Hot Nights with Abbie Chatfield across SCA’s Hit Network and FBoy Island Australia on Binge. Her It’s A Lot podcast via SCA’s Listnr was 18th on the most recent Australian Podcast Ranker, with 283,616 monthly listeners, and 514,502 monthly downloads.

Dye, meanwhile, is a radio industry stalwart, and helped launch Nova 96.9 into Sydney in 2001 as its mornings presenter. More recently, she co-hosted ARN’s 97.3 FM breakfast show in Brisbane and SCA’s Sea FM breakfast show on the Gold Coast. The Bianca, Ben and Lakey show on Sea FM wrapped up towards the end of 2023. Since then, Dye has freelanced and appeared on shows including i98 FM breakfast in the Illawarra.

Bianca Dye has been on Australian radio for decades (Nine)

Publicity from Nine said Dye was “the hilarious life of the party who is never short of a witty one-liner”.

Dye added: “I’m kind, compassionate and very funny, and willing to embrace the Golden Bachelor’s kids, if he has any.”

Junner’s bio, meanwhile, said she was inspired by her daughter Chatfield’s journey on The Bachelor.

“Vivacious, cheeky and full of fun, she’s every bit as vibrant as her famous daughter, Abbie Chatfield, a true pocket rocket with a heart of gold,” the bio said.

Laura Junner was inspired by daughter Abbie Chatfield (Nine)

The integration of recognisable faces into the cast is a point of difference from 10’s revived Big Brother format. Big Brother casting callouts specifically barred those who work for the media sector and their families.

The Golden Bachelor is a twist on the original Bachelor format, with the cast skewing older. The new format will screen on Nine later this year, hosted by former Sunrise co-host Samantha Armytage.

The star ‘Bear’, a 61-year-old widow, is described by Nine as “a strong, protective man with a deep love for family and adventure”.

He said it’s quite surreal being the country’s first Golden Bachelor.

“It’s an incredible privilege that 20 remarkable women are willing to come on this journey with me, for all of us to have the courage to open our hearts and take the chance to fall in love again. I couldn’t be more grateful or excited to see where this trailblazing experience takes us,” he said.

Armytage added: “I can’t wait to introduce Bear to Australia. We’ve found a one-in-a-million Golden Bachelor, full of integrity and compassion. He’s incredibly kind and, I might add, very handsome. I know you’re all going to want to join him on his journey to fall in love again.”

On the whole crop of contestants, Nine said: “These vibrant women radiate elegance, strength, and a zest for life. From a hoist operator and a radio personality to a NICU nurse and an age transformation coach, they are rewriting the rules of romance. With decades of life experience – love, loss, searching, hope – they are all ready to find something real and lasting.”

The format was first trialled in the US in 2023. A second season begins next week, and a female-led spin-off, The Golden Bachelorette, aired last year. There has also been a Dutch version of the show.

In Australia, it will be produced by Warner Bros International Television Production Australia.

Nine said: “Prepare for laughter, tears and unforgettable moments when the roses start flowing. The Golden Bachelor is the show winning hearts around the world, and now it’s Australia’s turn.”