| Genre: | Dating game show |
| Presenter: | Jeremy Milnes (2003–2005) Mark Wright (2019) |
| Voices: | Hugo Speer (2011–2012) |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
| Num Series: | 6 |
| Num Episodes: | 50 |
| Runtime: | 60 minutes |
| Company: | BBC Bristol (BBC Three) Ricochet (Channel 5) |
| Network: | BBC Three |
| Network2: | Channel 5 |
| Network3: | Channel 5 |
| Related: | The Bachelor (US version) |
The Bachelor is a British reality television show that began airing on BBC Three from 30 March 2003 to 13 February 2005, before moving to Channel 5 from 19 August 2011 to 31 August 2012. The show is based on the American reality series of the same name. On 31 August 2018, it was announced that the show would return for a new ten-part series in 2019 on Channel 5. The short-lived 'revival' ran from 4 March 2019 to 14 March 2019.[1]
The series revolves around a single bachelor (deemed eligible) and a pool of romantic interests (typically 25), which could include a potential wife for the bachelor. The conflicts in the series, both internal and external, stem from the elimination-style format of the show. Early in the season, the bachelor goes on large group dates with the women, with the majority of women eliminated during rose ceremonies. As the series progresses, women are also eliminated on one-on-one dates and on elimination two-on-one dates. The process culminates with home-town visits to the families of the final four women, overnight dates at exotic locations with the final three women, and interaction with the bachelor's family and the final two women.
| No. | Original run | Bachelor | Winner | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 March–4 May 2003 | David Donald | rowspan="3" | |
| 2 | 23 January–27 February 2004 | Jamie Williams | Jodi Plumb | |
| 3 | 9 January–13 February 2005 | Anthony Thomas | Lindsay Mann | |
| 4 | 19 August–28 October 2011 | Gavin Henson | Carianne Barrow | Layla Manoochehri |
| 5 | 29 June–31 August 2012 | Spencer Matthews | Khloe Evans | Charlotte "Tabby" Richards |
| 6 | 4–14 March 2019 | Alex Marks | Alicia Oates | Charlotte Tyler |
The first series aired on BBC Three from 30 March to 4 May 2003.
The second series aired on BBC Three from 23 January to 27 February 2004.
The third series aired on BBC Three from 9 January to 13 February 2005.
The fourth series aired on Channel 5 from 19 August to 28 October 2011.
The fifth series aired on Channel 5 from 29 June to 31 August 2012.
On 31 August 2018, it was announced that a new series would be filmed this autumn in South Africa for Channel 5.[2] The new series was hosted by Mark Wright.
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 March 2003 | 4 May 2003 | 7 | |
| 2 | 23 January 2004 | 27 February 2004 | 7 | |
| 3 | 9 January 2005 | 13 February 2005 | 7 | |
| 4 | 19 August 2011 | 28 October 2011 | 10 | |
| 5 | 29 June 2012 | 31 August 2012 | 10 | |
| 6 | 4 March 2019 | 14 March 2019 | 9 |
In June 2020, Channel 5 has announced that The Bachelor UK would not return, after just one series since 2019.[3]