Chris Harrison has officially signed-off from “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” franchises.
The long-time host recently took a hiatus from the show due to controversial comments made about race and racism.
Harrison has served as the host of the original series and spin-off series such as “Bachelor In Paradise” for 19 years!
News of his exit comes after he defended former contestant Rachael Kirkconnell on Matt James’ season of “The Bachelor” for attending an Antebellum-themed party while in college.
During a February interview with former ‘Bachelorette’ star Rachel Lindsay on “Extra,” Harrison defended Kirkconnell for her racially insensitive past.
“Extra” host Lindsay asked Harrison, “What are your thoughts about Rachel Kirkconnell and the allegations attached to her?”
Harrison replied, “I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago and that’s it. Like, boom!”
Lindsay quickly replied, “Well the picture was from 2018 at an Old South Antebellum party, so I think… that’s not a good look.”
To many fans surprise, Harrison retaliated with, “Well Rachel, is it a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021? There’s a big difference.”
“It’s not a good look ever” an adamant Lindsay responded.
This marked the beginning of the end for Harrison who later apologized for what he said during the interview. At the time he revealed he would be stepping away from his hosting duties after consulting with ABC and Warner Bros.
News of Harrison stepping down indefinitely came soon after the Monday, June 7 premiere of Katie Thurston’s season of “The Bachelorette.”
Deadline exclusively broke the news writing, “Just hours after the 17th season of The Bachelorette debuted, longtime host Chris Harrison has exited the romance franchise for good.”
But Harrison isn’t walking away empty handed.
He received his final rose in the form of an eight-figure payoff and a promise to keep his mouth shut, according to Deadline.
Harrison’s reps have been in increasingly intense negotiations over the past few days with WBTV and, to a lesser extent, Disney-owned ABC.
Actor/comedian David Spade was recently announced to fill-in as a guest-host on “Bachelor In Paradise.”
Spade will be one of the celebrities in a rotating roster of guest hosts for the seventh season of the ABC dating show, a source confirms to PEOPLE.
Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe are currently serving as the interim hosts of Thurston’s season.
No news of a replacement for Harrison have been announced.
