After weeks of rumors, it's official: Ben Higgins is "The Bachelor."
Chris Harrison announced the casting news on "After Paradise" Monday night.
"It's my pleasure to announce your new 'Bachelor' – ladies and gentlemen, Ben Higgins," the "Bachelor" franchise host said, while the studio audience cheered.
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The 27-year-old software salesman was the second runner-up on Kaitlyn Bristowe's season of "The Bachelorette," and a fan favorite.
"It's incredible. I think people like me don't get opportunities like this," Ben said, when asked how he feels about his new gig. "I never thought that this opportunity would be something I could have. I'm excited."
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Ben said he's trying to keep his life as "normal" as possible in the midst of his newfound fame, though he's now "a lot cooler on Instagram" than he ever thought he'd be.
"I still wake up in the morning, go to work, I go to church on Sundays and I work out at lunch," he said.
Though his initial crush, Kaitlyn, ended up with Shawn Booth, both she and Shawn told Access Hollywood they were rooting for Ben to be the next man to search for love on the ABC reality hit.
"Ben H. He's our guy," Shawn told Access in a July interview, when asked who had his vote for "The Bachelor."
"Yeah, definitely Ben," added Kaitlyn.
"The Bachelor," Season 20 will premiere January 4, 2016 on ABC.
-- Erin O'Sullivan
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