"Bachelor" host Chris Harrison is opening up about the end of his 18-year marriage to Gwen Jones -- and why he'd make a bad "Bachelor."
"Getting out of a 22-year relationship, having just announced my divorce to the world a week ago, having two kids and trying to start a new life, I'm thinking I wouldn't exactly be a great candidate to be 'The Bachelor' right now or anytime soon," Harrison said during a press call for "The Bachelorette" on Wednesday, People reported.
The 40-year-old host added that the breakup has increased his appreciation for the "Bachelor" franchise's mission to help singles find love.
"Now having felt heartbreak, I know what these people have gone through and what they're searching for," Harrison said, according to Us Magazine. "Everybody wants love; everybody wants companionship and that's what makes this show so simple but so genius."
Harrison and Jones, who met in college and have two kids together -- Joshua, 9 and Taylor, 7 -- made their split known last Thursday. They issued a joint statement about the separation: "Though we have made this incredibly difficult decision to separate, our love and mutual respect remain, and we look forward to sharing in the lives of our wonderful children.”
In February 2010, Harrison denied accusations from contestant Rozlyn Papa that he had hit on a "Bachelors" producer's wife, telling People, at the time, "I had nothing to hide... my wife was there." In the same interview, Jones told the magazine that Harrison is "an amazing father... he's very loving and involved."
Harrison may be declining a starring role in the next "Bachelor" installment, but there are plenty of reasons why he'd make a great contestant. Click through the slideshow below for 10 of them.
