David Spade chats on the phone as he enjoys a morning stroll… after news he’ll be one of the stars guest hosting Bachelor In Paradise following Chris Harrison racism controversy
- Spade will be one of several celebs sharing hosting duties on next season of BIP
- The decision comes about four months after Harrison’s controversial exit
- He got in hot water after calling for ‘a little understanding’ toward a contestant who had attended a plantation-themed theme bash in 2018
- Harrison later said he was ‘stepping aside’ for an undefined ‘period of time’
- The next season of The Bachelorette had already been shot, hosted by series alums Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe
- Bachelor In Paradise brings contestants from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette together in Sayulita, Mexico for one last chance at love
He’s set to be one of the guest hosts taking the reins during next season of Bachelor In Paradise.
And David Spade looked like he was already gearing up for a drama-packed summer while spotted walking around Beverly Hills on Thursday.
The comedian, 56, banked some relaxation time ahead of his reality dating gig, seen taking a phone call as he got in some steps during the neighborhood stroll.
Host with the most: David Spade took a walk around Beverly Hills after news he would be one of the guest hosts replacing Chris Harrison on this season of Bachelor In Paradise
David was dressed down in a blue shirt and baggy ash-grey sweatpants.
He gave himself a bit of anonymity with sunglasses and a navy baseball hat pulled over his brow.
Seeing as he was outside alone, the Joe Dirt actor went without a mask.
News Spade would be one of the talents stepping in for veteran Bachelor host Chris Harrison emerged last night.
Harrison stepped aside from his hosting duties about four months ago, after he suggested fans show ‘a little understanding’ toward contestant Rachel Kirkconnell after photos of her attending a plantation-themed theme bash in 2018 emerged.
He skipped the upcoming season of The Bachelorette – which has already been shot and premieres next Monday June, 7th – with Bachelor Nation alums Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe hosting in Harrison’s absence.
![Me time: The comedian, 56, banked some relaxation time ahead of his reality dating gig, seen taking a phone call as he got in some steps during the neighborhood stroll](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/03/22/43805633-9649979-Me_time_The_comedian_56_banked_some_relaxation_time_ahead_of_his-m-47_1622754160344.jpg)
Me time: The comedian, 56, banked some relaxation time ahead of his reality dating gig, seen taking a phone call as he got in some steps during the neighborhood stroll
![Casual: David was dressed down in a blue shirt and baggy ash-grey sweatpants](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/03/22/43805635-9649979-Casual_David_was_dressed_down_in_a_blue_shirt_and_baggy_ash_grey-m-49_1622754192025.jpg)
Casual: David was dressed down in a blue shirt and baggy ash-grey sweatpants
And now ABC will be using a rotating cast of hosts for their Bachelor In Paradise, which brings contestants from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette together in Sayulita, Mexico for one last chance at love.
A source told Page Six that Spade’s interest in The Bachelor – which he’s discussed on social media and during a Jimmy Kimmel appearance – was a strong factor in his selection.
‘I like it all,’ Spade said, when Kimmel asked to choose between The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. ‘I just make fun of whatever’s in front of me.’
And insiders say David’s sense of humor makes him a perfect fit, explaining: ‘The producers want to put some fun in the show. They think it’s become too serious.’
Harrison fell under scrutiny in February after an appearance on Extra in which he downplayed the past actions of season 25 winner Kirkconnell after images surfaced of her at a 2018 bash with an antebellum theme and dressed in a distasteful Native American costume during college.
![Controversy: Harrison fell under scrutiny in February after an appearance on Extra in which he downplayed the past actions of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell after images surfaced of her at a 2018 bash with an antebellum theme](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/03/01/43764719-9646373-In_the_wake_of_the_controversy_the_49_year_old_Dallas_native_sai-a-56_1622678703032.jpg)
Controversy: Harrison fell under scrutiny in February after an appearance on Extra in which he downplayed the past actions of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell after images surfaced of her at a 2018 bash with an antebellum theme
Harrison said that ‘we all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion’ toward Kirkconnell amid the turbulent times of the ‘woke police’ and cancel culture.
‘I have seen some stuff online – this judge, jury, executioner thing – where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart and diving into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting record,’ said Harrison. ‘It’s unbelievably alarming to watch this.
‘I haven’t heard Rachael speak on this yet. And until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say any of this?’
Harrison, the longtime host of all three Bachelor Nation shows – The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise – later took to Instagram to clarify his remarks on the controversial topic.
‘While I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering her an opportunity to speak on her own behalf,’ he said. ‘What I now realize I have done is cause harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism, and for that I am so deeply sorry.’