Nick Viall will be the next “Bachelor,” ABC announced during the “After Paradise” special on Tuesday night.
Viall was the runner-up on two previous seasons of “The Bachelorette.” The first run, he was a suitor for Andi Dorfman but became known as the villain of the show. The second time, he fought for Kaitlyn Bristowe’s heart, but lost out to Shawn Booth.
It’s a bit of a surprising announcement, given that “The Bachelor” and its spinoff “The Bachelorette” always choose a contestant that had competed on the season prior to the current one.
The 35-year-old is also a cast member on the third season of “Bachelor in Paradise.”
He is a native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and went on to run track for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Season 21 of “The Bachelor” will air on ABC in 2017.
#TheBachelor feels like a better title than runner-up. Congratulations @viallnicholas28! pic.twitter.com/cj43cHujXw
— Bachelor in Paradise (@BachParadise) August 31, 2016