Bianca Dye has revealed that ‘dumpster fire’ dating apps led her to sign on to The Golden Bachelor at the age of 51.
The Sea FM radio host is set to go head-to-head with 22 women to compete for the heart of Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, 61.
Bianca said she was desperate to find a man closer to her age after being approached by either very young or older men online.
‘I was literally sitting on my couch, scrolling, and I saw Sam Armytage had posted the casting call. And I just thought, “I’ve got nothing to lose!”‘ she told The Courier Mail.
‘I was either attracting 22-year-olds that wanted a one-night stand with an older woman. Or it was the 75-year-old guys.
‘I’m like, “God, can they just have the full set of teeth, not be wearing a hi-vis vest, not be holding a fish, and not living in their mum’s spare room?”‘
The television personality was previously in a long-term relationship with businessman Jay Sandter, but the pair have since split.
At the time, Bianca described her then-partner Jay and his ten-year-old daughter Madi as her family.
Bianca fell for the father-of-four after meeting him in 2017 through dating app Bumble.
In 2018, she told The Courier Mail of her then-beau: ‘He’s everything I’ve ever wanted all wrapped up in one.’
In 2022, Bianca revealed that she was dating NRL coach Justin Morgan, but the pair have also since split.
‘It’s been a couple of months and we are very much smitten,’ she told Confidential at the time.
‘It’s beautiful. He’s a beautiful human being’ she added.
Channel Nine’s The Golden Bachelor Australia is fast approaching TV screens, with Samantha set to host the debut season, which was filmed earlier this year in Sydney.
Bear was spotted shooting scenes in March, piloting a retro Italian speedboat across Sydney Harbour before meeting the women who would compete for his heart.
Friends of Bear say he’s finally ready to take a leap into romance after years of encouragement from his inner circle.
‘Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying he’s bringing around the wrong kind of girls that are just too young and hot for him,’ a friend told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We were always saying he needed to be put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise.’
Producers promise a more mature, heartfelt take on the long-running dating franchise, with Bear bringing a lifetime of love and loss to the screen.
‘He’s not your usual reality TV type,’ an insider said.
‘He’s charming, intelligent and has really lived a full life. He’s been through love, loss and now he’s ready to open his heart again. Women are going to adore him.’
Along with Bianca, other hopefuls are Angela, a 52-year-old psychotherapist from Victoria and Catherine, a 56-year-old interior designer from NSW.
Joining them are Elizete, a 54-year-old property manager from NSW; Gera, a 52-year-old real estate business owner from WA; Hamidah, a 60-year-old disability support worker from NSW; and Jan, a 66-year-old age transformation coach from NSW.
Jane, a 60-year-old interior designer from NSW; Janette, a 61-year-old Pilates studio owner from Victoria; Katrina, a 55-year-old NICU nurse from Queensland; Kim, a 60-year-old doctor from Queensland; and Laura, a 64-year-old primary school teacher from Queensland, will also be vying for Bear’s heart.
Also on the show are stylist Linda, a 61-year-old from Queensland; Lauren, a 60-year-old dressage team manager from Queensland; Nicolette, a 55-year-old singer from NSW; Pip, a 60-year-old hoist operator from Victoria; and Shamse, a 60-year-old interior designer.
Rounding out the hopefuls are retired education sales executive Shana, 60, CEO Sunny, 58 and property investor Terri, 61.
