Model-turned-airline pilot Jimmy Nicholson will be Australia’s next Bachelor.
And outspoken former contestants Abbie Chatfield and Brooke Blurton gave the 31-year-old, who is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, their tick of approval on Thursday.
The pair celebrated the decision to cast the first non-white suitor since Blake Garvey, whose father is African American, fronted the series in 2014.
Abbie approved! Ex-Bachelor stars Abbie Chatfield (pictured) and Brooke Blurton have given new suitor Jimmy Nicholson, who is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, their tick of approval
Abbie, 25, who was the runner-up on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor in 2019, took to Instagram Stories to share her thoughts on Jimmy’s appointment.
She shared an article about the casting decision, which noted Jimmy’s ethnic background,.and wrote: ‘GOOD. CHOICE.’
Brooke, who famously quit Nick Cummins’ season of The Bachelor before the finale in 2018, also endorsed the new suitor.
‘GOOD. CHOICE’: Abbie, 25, who was the runner-up on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor in 2019, took to Instagram Stories to share her thoughts on Jimmy’s appointment
Backed by Brooke: Brooke, who famously quit Nick Cummins’ season of The Bachelor before the finale in 2018, also endorsed the new suitor
She shared a screenshot on Instagram of an email newsletter she had received from Channel 10 about Jimmy’s role, and added a rose gif.
The network announced on Thursday morning Jimmy would be the new Bachelor.
But it won’t be his first time in front of a camera, as he previously had a short-lived TV career on The Price Is Right, hosted by Larry Emdur.
The former model-turned-airline pilot was the male assistant showcasing the prizes for about a year in 2012.
Everything you need to know: New Bachelor Jimmy was previously a signed to Chadwick Models before becoming an airline pilot
Jimmy was also previously signed to one of Australia’s leading modelling agencies, Chadwick Models.
In 2014, he completed his training as a Regional Express Cadet Pilot and now holds a Commercial Pilot License.
He previously told Year 13 he had always dreamt of becoming a pilot because ‘it is a bit of a family tradition’.
‘My dad is a pilot, not a commercial one, but he worked for Qantas and so did my grandfather. My uncle is also a pilot for another major international airline, so I grew up with it all my life. It’s a bit of a family tradition,’ he said.
TV career: Jimmy (left) was the male assistant showcasing the prizes on The Price Is Right, hosted by Larry Emdur, for about a year in 2012
Jimmy was most recently working as a first officer for Jetstar Australia, but was stood down from his job due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He told Sydney Confidential he’d signed up for The Bachelor because his career had made it difficult for him to find a long-term partner.
‘I was never in the same spot for too long,’ he explained.
The new Bachelor is of New Zealand and Fijian heritage, and has not appeared before on The Bachelorette or any other dating show.
Jimmy said on Thursday he was pumped at the prospect of finding The One.
Career shift: In 2014, he completed his training as a Regional Express Cadet Pilot and now holds a Commercial Pilot License
‘I am ready to open up my heart and meet someone,’ he told The Daily Telegraph.
‘I hope to meet someone with similar values that I can have fun with and that shares the same zest for life as myself.’
He concluded: ‘The Bachelor franchise has produced many success stories and I hope to be the next.’
The Bachelor’s ninth season will air on Channel 10 later this year
Unlucky in love: Jimmy told Sydney Confidential he’d signed up for The Bachelor because his career as a Jetstar pilot had made it difficult for him to find a long-term partner