Channel 10’s ‘$5million’ plan to save The Bachelor as they scout for a celebrity suitor

The Bachelor has delivered its most disappointing season yet this year, with record-low ratings and a leading man widely described by fans as ‘dull’.

But Channel 10 has reportedly hatched a plan to save the struggling franchise from cancellation.

Network bosses have approached a handful of celebrities to star on The Bachelor and its spin-off The Bachelorette next year, according to New Idea. 

Channel 10 execs are said to have earmarked a $5million ‘talent budget’ for the 2022 seasons, and are considering several high-profile stars.

The likes of Shane Warne, Dr Chris Brown, Terri Irwin, Kate Ritchie, Jodi Gordon, Lincoln Lewis and even Schapelle Corby are on their wish list. 

‘The casting teams are trying to lure in big stars to make sure audiences are engaged – the good news? Money is no object,’ a source told the magazine.  

‘Celebrity-driven reality shows are the new normal and they bring in the ratings.’ 

No more D-list Bachelors! Network bosses have approached a handful of celebrities to star on The Bachelor next year, including Shane Warne (left) and Dr Chris Brown (right)

The Bachelor had its lowest-ever premiere ratings last month, with just 482,000 metro viewers tuning in for pilot Jimmy’s first episode.

This number collapsed to a new record low of 360,000 a week later, following the start of the Tokyo Olympics on Seven.

It comes amid reports Bachelor Jimmy and Bachelorette Brooke Blurton ‘called the shots’ behind the scenes this year.

Could she be next? Terri Irwin (pictured), the widow of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, has also been named as a potential A-list Bachelorette 

‘Jimmy and Brooke have laid down the law this year – they know what they want and they’ve seen what previous storylines can do to past contestants, and they’re not going down that same path,’ a production insider alleged to Woman’s Day magazine on Monday. 

Jimmy and Brooke were able to get away with putting their foot down because they joined on the show for love rather than fame, and wouldn’t be ‘swayed by the producer’s promises of further reality spin offs and Instagram official ticks’, the publication claims. 

While Brooke’s season it yet to air, it’s clear any influence Jimmy had on his season’s production has failed to pay off in the ratings.    

Laying down the law? It comes amid reports that The Bachelor Jimmy Nicholson and Bachelorette Brooke Blurton (pictured) ‘called the shots’ behind the scenes this year

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel 10 for comment. 

Online bookmakers Sportsbet has even opened a market on the future of The Bachelor, with one possibility being the show is cancelled before the finale and another predicting it will be shunted to streaming platform 10Play.

While the odds for all outcomes are long, the fact Sportsbet is accepting bets at all is a telling sign the show could be in trouble, given the history of bookies having insider knowledge when it comes to reality TV shows.   

Not a winning formula? While Brooke’s season it yet to air, it’s clear any influence Jimmy had on his season’s production has failed to pay off in the ratings