TV3 desperately seeking new Bachelor

Art Green, the star of the first season of TV3's The Bachelor. Who will be next?

TV3 appears to have done an about-face and is now seeking public input on who its next Bachelor star should be.

The popular Mediaworks reality show is coming back for a second season early next year, and the channel is already looking for budding Bachelorettes to star on the show.

It put out a casting call for female contestants in October, with Art Green offering some advice to those thinking they might be lucky in love on the show.

"Just relax and be a confident version of yourself. Think carefully, it is a big decision and quite possibly life changing - there is a very real possibility that you will meet someone special," Green said.

At the time, TV3 said it wasn't holding a casting call for its next Bachelor, because "his identity will be a closely guarded secret, to be revealed within the first episode of the series".

But the channel has appeared to have done a U-turn, with its website asking for nominations for potential Bachelor stars.

"Our scouts have been out shoulder-tapping potential Kiwi Bachelors, but we've also heard from lots of people who know someone who'd be perfect. Suggestions have included builders, TV and radio stars, professional sports players, and that 'hot guy' in the office everyone wants to date," the website says.

The cast of The Bachelor NZ this year. TV3 is looking for its next group of stars.

"Most of you will have someone you think should be the Bachelor. If you have a brother, son, cousin, friend, or colleague that you'd like us to know about, this is your opportunity."

The page said it wasn't a public casting call, "just a chance to put your suggestions forward".

A spokesperson for TV3 said it was the same format as last year and had been opened up to the public due to popular demand.

Mediaworks has been re-evaluating its stable of reality TV shows, with new seasons of Come Dine With Me, MasterChef and The X Factor recently ruled out.