Bachelorette Michelle Young’s suitor Clayton Echard chosen as ABC’s leading man for season 26 of The Bachelor
THE Bachelorette Michelle Young’s suitor Clayton Echard has been chosen as ABC new leading man for The Bachelor.
The 28-year-old will lead season 26 of the dating show.
Variety reported on Wednesday that Clayton has been tapped as the next Bachelor.
Fans of the dating franchise have not yet met Clayton, who will appear as a contestant on Michelle’s upcoming season of The Bachelorette.
Sources told the outlet that producers quickly fell in love with Clayton and he rose to the top of the network’s shortlist.
After the network a number of other men from Bachelor Nation to fill the leading role, Clayton was named the next Bachelor.
Despite Michelle‘s season of The Bachelorette not airing yet, it appears Clayton’s season of The Bachelor has already begun production.
Speculation about the show’s new leading man began when photos leaked of Clayton with a camera crew, which were published by E! News on Wednesday.
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After the photos leaked, sources told Variety the Missouri native is in fact the show’s next star.
However, the network does not plan to make the official announcement for a while.
MICHELLE’S SUITOR
Fans will get to meet Clayton when Michelle’s season premieres on October 19.
Michelle was introduced to Bachelor Nation when she competed on Matt James‘ season.
Despite not receiving Matt’s final rose, Michelle won over viewers and was named one of two Bachelorettes.
In addition to Michelle, Matt’s fellow suitor Katie Thurston also got to star on her own season of the popular show.
NO GREG FOR BACHELOR
While Clayton seems to have secured the title of Bachelor, it was previously believed Katie’s frontrunner Greg Grippo had been given the role.
Following Greg’s dramatic exit from The Bachelorette, sources told The Sun that he was “closing the deal” to become The Bachelor.
At the time, a source close to the show revealed: “Execs have talked about Greg becoming The Bachelor since he left the show.
“He would be one of, if not the most controversial pick and they know they will get backlash.
“But that reaction happens nearly every season and happened the strongest with Colton [Underwood’s] season which turned out to be one of the most-watched,” it was added of the former Bachelor.
They added: “Greg wasn’t interested at first but has opened up and has been seriously discussing the matter with execs.
“Nothing is set in stone until ABC announces it publicly but it’s looking like, Greg will be the next Bachelor.”