Studying Time: 2 minutes

Earlier at the moment, we reported on the information that Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette may air on ABC and Hulu starting in July.

The information got here courtesy of an nameless tip obtained by the dependable gossip outlet Deux Moi.

However the tip additionally contained a distinct and equally newsworthy declare about the way forward for the franchise, specifically, that Robert Irwin — son of the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin — is being vetted as the subsequent Bachelor.

“ABC is hoping to finalize a take care of Robert Irwin to guide the present this fall, but when not, the subsequent alternative is Taylor’s runner-up from her season. Must be an thrilling subsequent few months for the Bachelor Franchise,” the supply wrote in an e mail.

The hypothesis that Robert may be tapped to as the subsequent Rosemaster Common has been circulating for weeks.

But it surely actually picked up steam at the moment when Deux Moi renewed chatter surrounding the potential of producers eyeing the conservationist and up to date Dancing With the Stars champion for the function.

Sure, Irwin has turn into one thing of a breakout actuality heartthrob in latest months.

After charming viewers (and apparently everybody with entry to social media) throughout his profitable run on DWTS, the 22-year-old has solely grown extra in style.

And ABC already has a powerful working relationship with Robert:

Irwin not too long ago introduced he’ll return to tv as host of Dancing With the Stars: The Subsequent Professional, a brand new spinoff premiering this summer season on ABC and Hulu.

In fact, there’s one fairly main impediment to the entire “Robert as Bachelor” fantasy: would he even need the gig?

Irwin has beforehand been candid concerning the challenges of relationship whereas juggling a really public life and main conservation work in Australia.

Earlier this yr, he acknowledged that romance could be “difficult to navigate” (through Actuality Tea), whereas emphasizing that he stays true to himself whatever the highlight.

Nonetheless, followers are already imagining what a Robert Irwin-led season may seem like. He’s principally the alternative of Taylor Frankie Paul, and the outcome could possibly be essentially the most healthful season within the historical past of Bachelor Nation.

And admittedly, the franchise may most likely use the reset.

Nothing has been formally confirmed by ABC, Hulu, or Irwin himself, so for now, the rumor stays simply that — a rumor.

But when producers are on the lookout for a lead with real attraction, built-in fan assist, and sufficient healthful power to offset years of franchise chaos, Robert may be the reply.

The Taylor scenario might need made producers a little bit skittish on the considered a celeb Bachelor.

However there don’t look like any skeletons in Robert’s closet, and he’s already a fan favourite.

We’ll have additional updates on this growing story as new data turns into obtainable.