Chris Harrison is opening up about the possibility Ben Higgins might return as The Bachelor star.
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"There is an absolute opportunity for Ben to come back and be the Bachelor again. Why not?" Chris told ET.
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Ben starred on Season 20 of The Bachelor in 2016 and ended up proposing marriage to Lauren Bushnell during the March finale. It was widely believed Ben had nothing but the best of intentions during his season, and he really did seem to be in love with Lauren.
But after more than one year together and starring in a spinoff, Ben & Lauren: Happily Ever After? on Freeform, the couple sadly announced their split and decision to end their engagement in May 2017.
Lauren told People in June 2017 their breakup mainly came down to the fact they weren't compatible but there was no blowout fight or bad blood between them.
"What people have to understand about us as producers is we love the show as much as you do, and we are constantly debating and talking and throwing out ideas," Chris explained of the big decision to cast the Bachelor, which is expected to be made and announced within the next few weeks.
"It's not like we all get in this one room around this one table and we make a solid decision six months ago or a year ago. It's this ever-changing flowing conversation."
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With many names being tossed around -- such as Jason Tartick and Blake Horstmann from Becca Kufrin's season of The Bachelorette, according to the franchise host -- Chris admitted Ben would probably be his favorite for the position.
"Selfishly, I would love for Ben to be the Bachelor, because he's one of my very good friends," Chris revealed.
If producers decide to go with Ben, however, Chris confessed he'll have his work cut out for him.
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"It makes it a little harder, because it's a little easier when I don't know them as well. I know that sounds weird, but going through it with a very, very good friend, it's a little more difficult, because I have less of a poker face with my friends," Chris explained.
While The Bachelor star tends to be an eliminated suitor from the most recent season of The Bachelorette, ABC has departed from that format and picked total wild cards in the last two years, with Nick Viall and Arie Luyendyk Jr. taking on the role in Season 21 and 22, respectively.
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Nick was coming fresh out of Bachelor in Paradise when he was selected for the gig in 2017, while Arie -- who competed for Emily Maynard's heart in 2008 -- hadn't appeared on the series in five years.
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About The Author: Steven Rogers
