Former Bachelorette Sophie Monk now Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk has revealed she is just as excited as fans about the arrival of The Golden Bachelor.
Reflecting on her own time in the spotlight on The Bachelorette back in 2017, Sophie, 44, said she's thrilled to see a new twist coming to the reality TV scene.
'I'm so excited,' she gushed to Daily Mail Australia on Monday. 'I love reality, clearly. I'm pretty lucky to be able to host one.'
The new show, which has been a hit internationally, will be making its mark in Australia on Channel Nine next year, offering a new spin on the classic Bachelor format by focusing on older singles looking for love.
Sophie believes it will resonate with audiences Down Under.
'It's just internationally that show's done really well. And it's good—it's a good age group that tends to be into reality shows as well. It's refreshing because everyone needs love,' she added.
Sophie is particularly thrilled about the choice of former Channel Seven presenter Sam Armytage as the host, seeing it as a perfect match for the show.
'Sam as a host is a perfect pairing too,' she said with confidence. 'I think it's going to kill it.'
Former Bachelorette Sophie Monk now Love Island Australia host Sophie Monk has revealed she is just as excited as fans about the arrival of The Golden Bachelor
Reflecting on her own time in the spotlight on The Bachelorette back in 2017, Sophie, 44, is thrilled to see a new twist coming to the reality TV scene
The Love Island host revealed that she even had a chance to catch up with Sam at the Channel Nine Upfronts on Thursday, sharing in her excitement for the project.
'Yeah, of course [I've spoken to Sam]. She's so excited. And I was like, this is so cool. I think it's going to do really well,' Sophie shared.
While The Golden Bachelor might focus on a different age group than Love Island, Sophie believes the show's concept is just what Australian viewers are looking for.
Sophie is particularly thrilled about the choice of former Channel Seven presenter Sam Armytage as the host, seeing it as a perfect match for the show. 'Sam as a host is a perfect pairing too,' she said with confidence. 'I think it's going to kill it'
'Everyone deserves a shot at love, no matter their age,' she said. 'It's refreshing to see a reality show that's breaking the mould.'
Sophie also had some thoughts on potential suitors for the new format, though she joked that it's not as easy as picking a well-known face.
'You'd go with an everyday person, right? So, I don't know them,' she admitted.
'Yeah, of course [I've spoken to Sam]. She's so excited. And I was like, this is so cool. I think it's going to do really well,' Sophie shared
However, she did find the idea of Mark Bouris taking on the role intriguing following recent reports he was tipped to front the series, commenting, 'That'd be awesome, wouldn't it? But I don't know if they do celebrities so much anymore, but yeah, who knows?'
Speaking to 9Entertainment about her new role, Samantha said the show was about finding 'real love' in an apparent swipe at her former show Farmer Wants A Wife.
Sophie also had some thoughts on potential suitors for the new format, though she joked that it's not as easy as picking a well-known face, but did think rumoured lead Mark Bouris (pictured) would be great
The Channel Seven series has produced more lasting relationships than any other reality dating format on Australian television, boasting nine marriages, seven relationships, and 26 children across its thirteen seasons.
Samantha, who started as a guest host of FWAW in 2022, continued of her golden new gig: 'You're looking for some romance and you're looking for real love,' she said in a pointed remark. 'This is about finding real love.'
'I am so excited about this show, it has been huge in America and I have a feeling it's going to be huge in Australia too.'
The Golden Bachelor offers people in their 50s and 60s a chance to find their second chance at love and will premiere on Nine at some point in 2025.
Armytage pictured at the Channel Nine Upfronts last Thursday
Outgoing Farmer Wants A Wife host Samantha shocked fans in August when she stepped down from Seven after 21 years with the network.
Her new TV gig on The Golden Bachelor was finally unveiled at Nine's Upfronts, where the network's schedule of 2025 programming was unveiled to invited guests.
'When I got the call to join the show, I didn't hesitate. [The Golden Bachelor] has been huge in America, and I have a feeling it's gonna be huge in Australia, too,' Samantha said.
The first US version of The Golden Bachelor starred father-of-two and widower Gerry Turner, 72, with a Golden Bachelorette version then launching with widow Joan Vassos, 61, looking to find love.
The US version of the show has been wildly successful, with its finale garnering 6.1million viewers, making it the most watched final episode of the American Bachelor series since 2021.
