Locky Gilbert's Bachelor season to premiere next month after COVID filming delays

After months of delays due the coronavirus pandemic, The Bachelor Australia’s 2020 season — starring none other than Survivor alum Locklan ‘Locky’ Gilbert — finally has a premiere date of sorts.

Season eight of the Channel 10 dating show will hit TV screens next month according to an announcement by the network's head of entertainment, Stephen Tate, on Monday.

With Bachie spin-off show Bachelor In Paradise kicking off on July 15 and running for about four weeks, it’s expected that Aussie audiences can tune in to watch Locky’s search for true love sometime in August however an exact date has yet to be confirmed.

Production for The Bachelor ground to a halt in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with all cast and crew reportedly returning to their home states to isolate.

Stephen Tate revealed to The Australian that Locky and his bachelorettes, however, continued to get to know one another on single and group dates via Zoom.

It’s believed that filming of the program recommenced in Sydney’s Oxford Falls last week, but due to the tight turnaround it’s possible that shooting and editing of later episodes might still be underway when the season premieres.

Who is Locky Gilbert, Bachelor 2020?

Audiences may find themselves doing a double-take because the very eligible Locky Gilbert has graced Aussie TV screens rather recently.

The handsome 30-year-old first popped up battling it out in the jungle on Survivor back in 2017, then again earlier this year when he returned for the 2020 All Stars season.

The Perth native may have been the 13th voted out on the endurance competition, but the fitness fanatic is clearly hoping to find better luck in the love game.

An experienced cave diver, base jumper, mountaineer, athlete and avid traveller, the Bachelor-to-be is also the CEO of a travel tour company.

‘Someone to share the memories with’

Addicted to adventure, Locky says he’s after a partner in crime to join him on his travels.

“I really want to find love,” he says.

“I’m pretty content with my life at the moment. I go on these crazy adventures, but I’d love someone to share the memories with.”

“I want to find that one best friend that I can spend the rest of my life with.”

He has a map of the world tattooed on his side, and his Instagram is a homage to adventure, though it seems taking on 20 hopeful ladies will be a first for the globe-trotter.

As for what he’s looking for in a lucky lady?

Predictably, the soon-to-be national heartthrob is after a woman with a wild sense of adventure who is driven and as in love with the great outdoors as she hopefully will be with Locky.

Additional reporting by Penny Burfitt.

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