With just hours to go until The Golden Bachelor premiere, fans are buzzing to see who will snag Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden’s final rose.
And the silver fox, 61, proved what a nice guy he is when he affectionately greeted one of the show’s publicists while attending a meeting on Thursday.
The handsome star was seen giving Niki White a friendly peck on the lips.
Niki is a unit publicist on the The Golden Bachelor, and has been working closely with Warner Bros. and Channel Nine.
The kiss was completely innocent, proving Barry’s quest for love is the real deal.
In the images, Niki, dressed in a floaty blue sundress, was seen clutching Barry’s shoulders and pulling him in for the friendly exchange.
Golden Bachelor Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, 61, (right) was spotted giving publicist Niki White (left) a friendly kiss on the lips on Thursday in Sydney
Holding a takeaway coffee in one hand, Barry leaned in to return the gesture.
During the outing, the pair were also seen chatting as they strolled down the footpath, before Barry answered a call on his phone.
The Canadian-born, Sydney-based bachelor looked dapper in a dark blue button-down shirt and cream chinos, completing his look with a pair of blue sandshoes.
Niki meanwhile accessorised her dress with a pair of tan strappy heels and delicate jewellery.
She wore her hair out and enhanced her complexion with light makeup.
Niki is also a manager and founder of the agency NikStar, which specialises in publicity, events, talent management and brand partnerships.
Among her clients are high-profile figures in entertainment and sport, including Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and media personalities such as Richard Wilkins and Mel McLaughlin.
She is well-known for running publicity for big events like the TV WEEK Logies, the AACTA Awards and major film premieres.
The sighting comes after Barry hinted at who will receive his final rose on the show.
The kiss was completely innocent, proving Barry’s quest for love is the real deal
During the outing, the pair were also seen chatting as they strolled down the footpath, before Barry answered a call on his phone
The Canadian-born, Sydney-based bachelor looked dapper in a dark blue button-down shirt and cream chinos, completing his look with a pair of blue sandshoes
Niki is also a talent manager and founder of the agency NikStar, which specialises in publicity, events, talent management and brand partnerships
Among her clients are high-profile figures in entertainment and sport, including Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and media personalities such as Richard Wilkins and Mel McLaughlin
‘It will be totally unexpected to everyone, I think,’ he told SkyNews.com this week
‘All I can tell you is, I made the right decision.’
Elsewhere in his interview, the hunk revealed that he struggled to reject contestants on the show, admitting: ‘They’re all such great and incredible women. It was really tough to say goodbye to any of them. I wanted to take all 20 of them.’
Among the contestants is TV and radio personality Bianca Dye, 51, best known for her long-running radio career.
She currently co-hosts a breakfast show on Queensland’s Sea FM 90.9.
Another hopeful is believed to be Queenslander Lauren George, who was seen arriving on set in hair rollers and full glam makeup.
Friends of Bear say he’s finally ready to take a leap into romance after years of encouragement from his inner circle.
‘Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying he’s bringing around the wrong kind of girls that are just too young and hot for him,’ a friend told Daily Mail Australia.
She is well-known for running publicity for big events like the TV WEEK Logies, the AACTA Awards and major film premieres
The sighting comes after Barry hinted at who will receive his final rose on the show. ‘It will be totally unexpected to everyone, I think,’ he told SkyNews.com this week
Elsewhere in his interview, the hunk revealed that he struggled to reject contestants on the show, admitting: ‘They’re all such great and incredible women. It was really tough to say goodbye to any of them. I wanted to take all 20 of them’
‘We were always saying he needed to be put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise.’
Producers promise a more mature, heartfelt take on the long-running dating franchise, with Bear bringing a lifetime of love and loss to the screen.
‘He’s not your usual reality TV type,’ an insider said.
‘He’s charming, intelligent and has really lived a full life. He’s been through love, loss and now he’s ready to open his heart again. Women are going to adore him.’
The Golden Bachelor has been a smash hit in the US, and fans have been clamouring for an Australian edition since its premiere.
Rumours have also swirled that Barry wasn’t the producers’ first choice for The Golden Bachelor, but stepped in after another leading man pulled out.
Barry confirmed he had been approached multiple times before finally agreeing to do the show.
‘I think I rejected it one, maybe two times,’ he admitted. ‘You know, you only live once, and it’s never too late [to find love].’
The widower revealed he did fall for one of the women during filming – and cheekily confessed to having a soft spot for host Samantha Armytage, admitting he ‘would have liked to have given her a rose’.
The Golden Bachelor will premiere Monday, October 20 at 7.30pm on Channel Nine.
Rumours have also swirled that Barry wasn’t the producers’ first choice for The Golden Bachelor, but stepped in after another leading man pulled out
The Golden Bachelor will premiere Monday, October 20 at 7.30pm on Channel Nine