Wales international Gavin Henson will make a return to reality TV when he stars in the UK version of the US hit The Batchelor.
The show will see 25 women competing to be the woman of Henson's dreams. The ladies will come from a variety of different backgrounds including modelling, web developing and property developing twins. Henson has previously featured in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and ITV's 71 Degrees North. Channel 5, who will host the show, said contestants will do 'whatever it takes to impress Gavin.'
Henson, who still hopes to be picked by Warren Gatland for the Rugby World Cup, is currently without a club having been released by Toulon in May. It remains to be seen just how happy Gatland is with the centre's latest foray into the public eye. However, a Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) spokesman said they were fully aware of Henson's commitments elsewhere and said it would not conflict with his training.
"The squad are currently committed to personalised training programmes in and around prescribed holiday periods, meaning some are already on site at WRU headquarters and others have been given regimes to follow away from camp depending on their personal requirements, like Gavin, or are resting or undergoing rehab. Gavin is fulfilling a work commitment which was in place before he was selected for national squad duty and doing so in the full knowledge of the Wales management team. He has already undergone periods of extra conditioning work and is maintaining constant contact with the WRU's head of strength and conditioning Adam Beard."
Henson, on the otherhand, is looking forward to the TV show and hopes to reap the benefits of the opportunity. "I'm so excited to have been cast as The Bachelor as I really feel the time is right for me to find a girl to hopefully spend the rest of my life with," Henson said. "I've always been dedicated to my rugby and continue to train hard but as the season draws to an end I can focus on meeting the right girl. It can be hard in my situation to meet women and The Bachelor will give me the unique opportunity to go on some incredible dates and spend quality time getting to know amazing women from all over the UK."