ABC has announced that Chris Soules, a former suitor on The Bachelorette, will be the next lead on The Bachelor. The 19th season will begin in January.

Here’s the press release:

FAN FAVORITE CHRIS SOULES SEARCHES
FOR LOVE AGAIN ON ABC’S HIT ROMANCE REALITY SERIES,
“THE BACHELOR,” WHEN IT RETURNS TO ABC IN JANUARY 2015

The Handsome Farmer Has Been Besieged by Women Clamoring to Move to Iowa for Love

Millions of single women had mixed emotions when Chris Soules, the stylish farmer from Iowa, was sent home by Andi Dorfman on “The Bachelorette.” One of the final three men, Chris was dismissed after he had emotionally confessed his love to Andi, but that meant the handsome bachelor was back on the market. Now, he is ready to put his heartache behind him to search for the one missing piece in his life – true love – when he stars in the 19th edition of ABC’s hit romance reality series, “The Bachelor,” which returns to ABC in January 2015. The announcement was made this morning on “Good Morning America.”

The 32-year-old Midwestern bachelor and self-proclaimed romantic has been engaged once before. Heartbroken, Chris ended that seven-year relationship just months before he expected to walk down the aisle. Although his relationship with his fiancée was good, he didn’t want to settle for “good.” He wanted “great.” While the humble but enormously successful farmer from tiny Arlington, Iowa (pop. 427) has found it difficult to date, that hasn’t stopped him from having faith that one day he will find the perfect woman for him. His experience on “The Bachelorette” made him realize that love really is out there, and he is confident that he will find it this time on “The Bachelor.”

Since his stint on “The Bachelorette,” Chris can’t go anywhere without being swarmed by women vying for his attention, all super fans of the man with a subtle charm and a signature twinkle in his eye. One adoring admirer drove hundreds of miles to knock on his door, while yet another professed her love for him by placing an ad in his local paper.

A family man through and through, Chris counts his father, who is a farmer, too, as his role model. His all-American mom immediately made Andi feel like a part of their family on Chris’ hometown date. And Chris’ three older sisters originally submitted him for the show. When Chris starts his own family, he is hoping for a big one like his own: four to six children.

Chris, who actually could drive a tractor before he could drive a car, grew up on a farm in nearby Lamont, Iowa, and attended Iowa State University, where he studied agronomy and agriculture. He brought his skills back to the family farm where he expanded the business and helped make it the multi-million dollar enterprise it is today.

This 6’1”, blue-eyed bachelor loves football, camping and country music. He epitomizes what women look for in a man: successful, sensitive and sexy. He has almost everything he needs — except his dream woman, who will be smart, motivated and confident. Oh, and she will need to know or learn how to drive a tractor!

Hosted by Chris Harrison, “The Bachelor” is produced by Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television. Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton and Alycia Rossiter are the executive producers.

“The Bachelor” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with stereo sound.

What do you think? Is Soules a good choice? Will you be tuning in?