Get the roses ready! Luke Pell is the front-runner to be the next Bachelor, Us Weekly can exclusively reveal.
“It’s looking like Luke right now as the next Bachelor, but there are a couple others on the back burner in case he doesn’t work out,” a source tells Us. Others being considered include Robby Hayes, Chase McNary and Wells Adams.
Pell, 31, instantly became a fan favorite as one of JoJo Fletcher’s contestants on season 12 of The Bachelorette. The real estate developer, 25, often gushed over their explosive chemistry on the ABC series.
“I’m running out of words to describe the level of passion that is Luke and me together,” Fletcher said during the June 27 episode. “Luke and I have a very emotional relationship, but we have, like, that physical connection down. Like, we have it down! Every time we kiss, I get the feeling where I have to, like, take a breath. I have to take a moment because that spark is just … it’s crazy.”
The electric intimacy ultimately didn’t last. The war veteran made it to the final four, but was sent home following the hometown dates. McNary and runner-up Hayes followed, leaving Jordan Rodgers to receive the final rose. Fletcher and Rodgers are now engaged and plan to reside together in Dallas.
Pell was left heartbroken following the split. Adding salt to his wounds, Fletcher broke up with him just minutes after he dropped those three magic words: I love you.
Pell opened up about their relationship during the show’s Men Tell All episode and with ABC News. “I still do love her,” he told the network. “[She’ll] always have a piece of my heart.”
Despite the heartbreak, Pell and Fletcher appeared to be on good terms at the After the Final Rose special. Even more, the bride-to-be suggested that Pell should be the next Bachelor during an interview with Good Morning America.
“If you ask me personally, I think both Luke and Chase are great options,” she said on August 2. “I think Robby is a great choice, too. But when I sent Luke home, America died. There was an overwhelming amount of support and love for him and I totally get it.”
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