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END OF AN ERA?

The Bachelor execs ‘may fire host Chris Harrison’ as the ‘show needs change’ following his ‘defense of racist behavior’

BACHELOR host Chris Harrison “may be fired” following outrage for “defending racist behavior,” a source exclusively told The Sun.

The longtime face of the franchise - who has been apart of the show since season one in 2002 - sparked fan outrage for “offensive” comments on the . 

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Chris Harrison 'may be fired' following his 'defense of racist behavior'
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Chris Harrison 'may be fired' following his 'defense of racist behavior'Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The host outraged fans during 'insensitive' comments with Rachel Lindsay
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The host outraged fans during 'insensitive' comments with Rachel LindsayCredit: Fox
Rachael Kirkconnell sparked fury when past 'racist' behavior resurfaced
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Rachael Kirkconnell sparked fury when past 'racist' behavior resurfacedCredit: Instagram

“For the first time in the show’s history, execs are considering all their options for Chris Harrison,” a production insider revealed. 

The source added: “He’s made some mistakes publicly before but he has never made this kind of blunder. He knows it and the producers know it.”

Fans have called for to be fired for  made while chatting with former  - the in the show’s history. 

, 49, asked fans to show “compassion” for , 24, after showed her attending an  in 2018.  

The longtime host is on the chopping block 'for the first time' in the show's history
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The longtime host is on the chopping block 'for the first time' in the show's historyCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Many fans are calling for ABC to replace Chris with Rachel Lindsay
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Many fans are calling for ABC to replace Chris with Rachel LindsayCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Rachael Kirkconnell was slammed for attending an 'Old South' plantation party
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Rachael Kirkconnell was slammed for attending an 'Old South' plantation party

During the chat, Chris also continued to speak over the ex  and claimed the racism problems were “okay” in 2018 but “not in 2021” - while adding he’s “not the woke police.”

The source continued of the reaction to his comments: “There’s never been talk about firing Chris for real before but it’s something that could actually happen. 

“There is also chatter about reducing or changing his role. One suggestion offered was to remove him as host but keep him as an executive producer.

“But they are not even close to the stage of making a shortlist of potential replacements. 

“Obviously Rachel Lindsay’s name is being thrown around, but ABC won’t make a rash decision about this one, they’ll take their time.”

Chris has been the only host of the show since it premiered in 2002
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Chris has been the only host of the show since it premiered in 2002Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The TV personality hosts the Bachelor, Bachelorette and all its spinoffs
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The TV personality hosts the Bachelor, Bachelorette and all its spinoffsCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Following Chris' comments, the show 'needs to make some kind of change'
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Following Chris' comments, the show 'needs to make some kind of change'Credit: Getty Images - Getty

Chris has served as both host of the franchise and executive producer since the very first episode premiered in 2002. 

While he has widely been “beloved” by Bachelor Nation, production understand it’s a “new world” from when the show first began and “know they need to make some kind of change.”

ABC did not respond for The Sun’s request for comment. 

Following video Chris’ interview with Rachel, 35, going viral, fans launched a petition that has already gotten over 35,000 signatures and counting to remove Chris as the  host.

A petition launched collecting thousands of signatures to fire Chris
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A petition launched collecting thousands of signatures to fire Chris
Many fans did not accept Chris Harrison's apology
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Many fans did not accept Chris Harrison's apologyCredit: Instagram

The petition claimed the TV personality “has a history of misogyny and racist behavior and racist-sympathizing behavior.”

Chris did share an apology to his Instagram page after two days of fan outrage, but many thought it was “poorly written” and “insincere.”

Adding to the backlash, 25 women from the current season rallied together to in a joint statement. 

"We are the women of Bachelor Season 25. Twenty-five women who identify as BIPOC were cast on this historic season that was meant to represent change. 

The ladies of Matt James' season rallied together to slam Chris and ABC
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The ladies of Matt James' season rallied together to slam Chris and ABCCredit: Instagram
More than 25 women shared a unified statement denouncing racism
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More than 25 women shared a unified statement denouncing racismCredit: Getty Images - Getty

“We are deeply disappointed and want to make it clear that we denounce any defense of racism.

“Any defense of racist behavior denies the lived and continued experiences of BIPOC individuals. These experiences are not to be exploited or tokenized,” the women said.

The group then praised Rachel for continuing to advocate for change within the series. 

Many fans want the ex Bachelorette to take Chris' hosting position
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Many fans want the ex Bachelorette to take Chris' hosting positionCredit: Getty Images - Getty

On her  on Friday, Rachel said that although she is "contractually bound in some ways," to appear on The Bachelor still, when it is up "I am, too.”

"I can't. I can't do it anymore," she admitted.

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The ex attorney added that she had been having a "really, really hard time" accepting Chris' apology because at the time of their interview on Tuesday he had "no problems" with his words.

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