20 women are hoping to find love with 61-year-old Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden.

Channel 9 has announced the 20 women set to appear on the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor. Photo: Channel 9

Following months of anticipation, the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor is almost upon us. The reality show, hosted by Samantha Armytage, is a spin-off of the popular dating franchise featuring older participants looking for love.

The series will centre around 61-year-old Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, who relocated from Canada to Australia in 1998 with his late wife, Audrey, to raise their three sons by the ocean. After losing his wife in 2011, the infrastructure engineer spent years prioritising fatherhood and is now ready to open his heart again to love.

“I was trying a few different dating techniques, a bit online. And I always tell my boys, ‘If you continue to do the same thing over and over, expecting different results, that’s the definition of insanity’. So when this presented itself, I said, sure, why not?” he previously told Yahoo Lifestyle about his decision to join the show.

When will The Golden Bachelor premiere?

Channel 9 has announced that The Golden Bachelor will premiere on Monday, October 20, at 7:30pm, and fans can expect plenty of laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments.

Who are the contestants on The Golden Bachelor?

The Golden Bachelor will feature 20 women pursuing a chance at love with Bear, ranging from a radio personality and NICU nurse to an age transformation coach and hoist operator. The series will also feature a somewhat familiar face, with Abbie Chatfield’s mum, Laura, appearing as a contestant.

Here are the women vying for Bear’s heart:

Angela, 52, VIC, psychotherapist

Angela is a 52-year-old psychotherapist. Photo: Channel 9

Angela describes herself as a lady with old-school values and a modern mindset who enjoys theatre, golf, and designer fashion. She is a proud mum of two children, and returned to school in her late forties to earn a double degree in psychology and counselling after her second marriage ended.

When asked if she’s ever been in love before, Angela said: “Yes! Truly, madly, deeply. And I believe it’s better to have loved and lost than never known love at all.”

Bianca, 51, QLD, radio personality

Bianca is a 51-year-old radio personality. Photo: Channel 9

Bianca is a dynamic and creative soul with over 30 years of experience as a celebrated radio announcer, winning seven ACRA awards throughout her career. She is also an advocate for personal growth, embracing yoga, meditation, astrology, and tarot, and is devoted to caring for her elderly mother.

“I have been in love before, but I’ve also had my heart broken many times, as I don’t see the red flags. Even though they could be standing there with a red flag,” she said.

Catherine, 56, NSW, interior designer

Catherine is a 56-year-old interior designer. Photo: Channel 9

Catherine is competitive, determined, and not afraid to go after what she wants. She travelled the world with her second husband, living in England, Sweden and France, and raising two sons. Following the divorce, she turned to bodybuilding and quickly found success in the sport.

“I’m looking for love and truly believe there is someone out there for me,” she said.

Elizete, 54, NSW, property manager

Elizete is a 54-year-old property manager. Photo: Channel 9

Elizete is a passionate and confident self-proclaimed warrior princess born in the jungles of Brazil. While she is fiercely independent, she longs for a partner who will cherish her as she heads into her golden years.

“I’m the life of the party. I’m fun, confident, and I don’t like drama,” she said.

Gera, 52, WA, real estate business owner

Gera is a 52-year-old real estate business owner. Photo: Channel 9

Gera is a vivacious and ambitious woman with a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for family values. She embraced the freedom of forging her own path after her 11-year marriage ended, but now seeks a partner to share in life’s adventure.

“I want a man. I want someone older who’s had heartache, who’s had love, who has experienced different things in life,” she said.

Hamidah, 60, NSW, disability support worker

Hamidah is a 60-year-old disability support worker. Photo: Channel 9

Hamidah is an infectiously cheeky, warm-hearted and resilient woman with a passion for helping others. Whether she’s teaching yoga to her grandkids, cooking up a feast, or hiking with her dogs, Hamidah embraces every day with joy.

“I told my daughter that I might be bringing home another dad, and her response was, ‘Another one?’ This will be the fourth, as I’ve been married three times already,” she said.

Jan, 66, NSW, age transformation coach

Jan is a 66-year-old age transformation coach. Photo: Channel 9

Jan is passionate about fitness, helping women find their confidence, and living life to the fullest. She is a deep romantic seeking a genuine, kind and loyal partner who values honesty, respect and shared adventure.

“I believe there is someone out there that will love me for who I am,” she said.

Jane, 60, NSW, interior designer

Jane is a 60-year-old interior designer. Photo: Channel 9

Jane has never shied away from change or chasing her dreams, going from a career as a flight attendant to building a thriving design career. She has a heart full of hope and is looking for a partner who sees love as a partnership built on respect, loyalty and shared joy.

“I want someone I can really get to know, how they think, how they do life, what’s important to them. Whilst physical attraction is a factor, I do prioritise deep emotional and intellectual connections with a partner,” she said.

Janette, 61, VIC, pilates studio owner

Janette is a 61-year-old pilates studio owner. Photo: Channel 9

Janette is an accomplished pilates instructor who is passionate about motivating her clients every day. She is a mum of two boys and a proud new grandmother, and is hoping to find a partner whose steadfast support and verve for adventure match her dreams of the future.

“I have a deep love for animals and have raised money for charities. I have two rescue dogs and a three-legged cat, and I get very attached, so when one dies, I adopt another and help give them a good life,” she said.

Katrina, 55, QLD, NICU nurse

Katrina is a 55-year-old NICU nurse. Photo: Channel 9

Katrina’s friends describe her as fun, gregarious, and larger than life, and she dedicates her days as a nurse caring for very sick babies. The mum of two daughters was previously married for over 24 years, and is now ready for a partner who brings laughter, kindness, and a spark of excitement to her life.

“I never say no to an opportunity, so when the applications came out, I didn’t hesitate,” she said.

Kim, 50, QLD, doctor

Kim is a 50-year-old doctor. Photo: Channel 9

Kim is a devoted doctor and mother of five who has been widowed twice, turning heartbreak into strength and purpose. She raised her children to be a tight, supportive family, and is searching for a partner who can match her energy and create a love story that’s nothing short of extraordinary.

“I know how to have a happy marriage. I’m looking for someone to make me feel like I did when I was married,” she said.

Laura, 64, QLD, primary school teacher

Laura is a 64-year-old primary school teacher. Photo: Channel 9

Laura is following in the footsteps of her daughter, Abbie Chatfield, who appeared on The Bachelor in 2019, and is taking a leap of faith to find love again. After spending 30 years raising her two daughters on her own, the vivacious, cheeky, and fun teacher is hoping to find someone who sees and appreciates her for who she is.

When asked why she applied for The Golden Bachelor, she said: “Why not? It’s definitely my time.”

Abbie has been petitioning for her mother to be cast on the series for quite a while, admitting in 2023 that she would love for her “single, hot” mum to star in an Australian version of The Golden Bachelor. She also proposed a similar concept in 2021, writing on her Instagram Story: “Petition for mum to be a 61-year-old Bachelorette”.

Lauren, 60, QLD, dressage team manager

Lauren is a 60-year-old dressage team manager. Photo: Channel 9

Lauren is confident, poised, and intelligent, whose life is a whirlwind of adventure, laughter, and plenty of animal cuddles. After two relationships ended in betrayal, she’s more determined than ever to find a partner who values loyalty, ambition and adventure as much as she does.

When asked about what she’s looking for in a partner, she said: “Someone I can build a connection with. Someone who will accept me for who I am.”

Linda, 61, QLD, stylist

Linda is a 61-year-old stylist. Photo: Channel 9

After decades supporting others as a stylist, Linda is now ready to focus on herself and say yes to new adventures. The mother-of-three and grandma-of-four has navigated love, loss, and heartbreak, and is looking for someone taller than her, as she’s five foot ten.

“I’ve got 10 good years left in me, where I can travel, make new friendships and connections —and meet someone who wants to do that same journey with me,” she said.

Nicolette, 55, NSW, singer

Nicolette is a 55-year-old singer. Photo: Channel 9

Nicolette is fierce, unapologetically sassy, and a natural performer, having spent her life performing around the world as a singer-songwriter. Originally from New Zealand, Nicolette has been married twice and became a single mother in her late forties.

“I’ve always thought my first husband was the one that got away,” she said.

Pip, 60, VIC, hoist operator

Pip is a 60-year-old hoist operator. Photo: Channel 9

Pip is thought to be the only woman working as a hoist operator on a construction site in Australia, having left both her marriage and career as a graphic designer when she realised life is too short to be unhappy. The mother of three boys describes herself as “a little left of centre” and isn’t shy about pulling out her oracle cards for guidance.

“I want to meet someone to travel the world with, who shares the same sense of adventure as me. My ‘third act’ in life would be fabulous to share with someone special,” she said.

Shamse, 60, VIC, interior designer

Shamse is a 60-year-old interior designer. Photo: Channel 9

Shamse is a mother of four and grandmother of five who was born in Bangladesh and raised in Canada. She has experienced profound love and heartbreaking loss, including the death of her partner 18 months ago.

“I’m not really sure [why I applied], but I am ready. My head warns of the pain, but my heart contradicts, saying, ‘Go for it!’,” she said.

Shana, 60, NSW, retired education sales executive

Shana is a 60-year-old retired education sales executive. Photo: Channel 9

Shana is a warm, loving, passionate, and fiery mother of one who was born in Serbia and raised in Sydney from the age of four. She has experienced a tragic love story, but is ready to open her heart again.

“I let my pride stand in the way of going back to my husband, who was my soulmate. He has since passed away, and I regret not being able to spend those last years with him,” she said.

Sunny, 58, NSW, CEO

Sunny is a 58-year-old CEO. Photo: Channel 9

Originally from Korea, Sunny moved to Australia in her late 20s with dreams of creating a better future. She overcame heartbreak and a battle with breast cancer and has emerged stronger with a renewed appreciation of love, family, and happiness.

“My youngest daughter, Penny, was the one who got me back into the dating scene. She wants me to be happy, not walking around the house miserable and feeling sad,” she said.

Terri, 61, VIC, property investor

Terri is a 61-year-old property investor. Photo: Channel 9

Terri is confident, kind-hearted, and always up for adventure, and is looking for someone who lives life to the fullest. While she was left heartbroken when she discovered her husband’s unfaithfulness, she has since tackled each day with courage and is now ready to find love again.

“My ex-husband was obviously the greatest love. When you get burnt that badly, it’s hard to throw yourself into something else. But you never know what’s around that corner,” she said.