Why Fans Think Chris Harrison Is Leaving The Bachelor

Presley Ann/Getty Images

By Melissa Willets/Dec. 30, 2020 10:04 am EST

Say it isn't so! Longtime Bachelor host and Dallas native Chris Harrison is rumored to be leaving the franchise, with Page Six reporting the 49-year-old is building a home in Austin, Texas, which is more than a limo ride away from Los Angeles, California where the reality dating show is filmed — under non-pandemic circumstances, of course. Clare Crawley and Tayshia Adams' season was taped in Palm Springs.

Doubts about Harrison's future on The Bachelor first took root when Variety reported former contestant JoJo Fletcher was sharing hosting duties with him for the upcoming season. This was due to COVID-19 safety precautions after he dropped his son off at college, according to production sources. About her stint as host, Fletcher told Us Weekly, "I jumped right into a mix of a whole bunch of things going on without really knowing anything that had gone on. So, it was definitely crazy." She added, "The episodes that I was a part of, I can tell you, are going to be very good. This whole season is going to be very crazy and dramatic. I'm sure everyone's heard of it before, but it really will be! And it was fun."

But could the rose master's role on the show become more sparse — or even nonexistent — for good?

Fans react to rumors about Chris Harrison leaving The Bachelor

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Let's just say that Bachelor Nation is not okay with the prospect of Harrison parting ways with the ABC show, with one fan tweeting, "Please someone tell me this is not true because if @chrisbharrison leaves I'm not gonna watch it anymore." Another fan commented on the news with this tweet: "I would expect nothing less of 2020 than for it to tell us @chrisbharrison is leaving #thebachelor #TheBachelorette. I can't. If this really happens I'm done. Don't leave us Chris, we need you!!"

Still, fans are already suggesting potential replacements for Harrison should he really decide to say goodbye to his Bachelor hosting duties, with former contestant Nick Viall's name coming up in several threads. Another name being circulated on social media? Wells Adams, who let's remember, was a very calming force as the bartender on Bachelor in Paradise.

For now, there's no official comment from ABC or Harrison. But if an announcement does happen, it will certainly be the most dramatic turn of events in Bachelor history.