BACHELOR host Chris Harrison will “NOT return” to his on-camera role following the ongoing racism scandal, a source exclusively told The Celeb Report.
Since the show has remained under fire for its controversies surrounding race, an informant claimed people of color are being hired “at all levels” to add diversity behind the scenes.
With the 49-year-old’s position on the chopping block as backlash rages on for his comments, a source says it’s a matter of “when, not if” Chris will get the boot.
The insider exclusively told The Celeb Report: “It’s only a matter of time before an announcement is made that Chris isn’t returning.
“At this point it’s not if, it’s when. There are still talks of keeping him as an executive producer.
“But unless Chris somehow turns this around, his role on-camera is done.”
In addition to changing things up on-camera, behind the lens will be highly impacted too.
“There’s been big staffing changes on all levels. More people of color have been hired as producers, editors, sound engineering, administrative positions and everything in between.
“ABC is also implementing more diversity training for everyone involved on the show,” the source added.
The informant added: “Chris was the loose thread that unraveled the whole production but the problems stem across the board.”
Reps for ABC did not respond to The Celeb Report’s request for comment.
Previously, an insider revealed to The Celeb Report that Chris stepping away indefinitely from hosting was a “mutual decision” as he knew ABC had to “take action.”
The source continued to explain: “As of right now, execs don’t believe he can continue being the sole host of the show.
“Whether or not he has some kind of a co-host or is removed on-camera completely remains to be seen.”
However, the tone has since changed as the informant alleged Chris has been “iced out” of crisis talks with ABC execs.
“He was originally being included in all conversations of how to proceed but has been iced out the past few days as execs figure out how to handle this mess,” an informant revealed.
Fans have called for Chris to be fired after making a series of “unacceptable” comments while chatting with former Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay – the first Black lead in the show’s history.
Chris asked fans to show “compassion” for Rachael Kirkconnell, 24, after resurfaced photos showed her attending an “Old South” plantation party with deep ties to the Confederacy in 2018.
The Matt James frontrunner was also accused of liking controversial social media posts that include the Confederate flag and pro-Trump “MAGA” content.
During the 16-minute chat, Chris also continued to speak over the ex Bachelorette and claimed the racism problems were “okay” in 2018 but “not in 2021” – while adding he’s “not the woke police.”
Many members of Bachelor Nation took to Twitter to call for the TV personality to be ousted from the series he both hosts and produces.
“Literally just fire Chris Harrison and replace him with Rachel Lindsay. We all know she’d make a better host of The Bachelor,” one critic said.
Another wrote: “Chris Harrison really tried to argue that racism didn’t exist in 2018?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fire this man now.”
“If your gut reaction to being asked about racist behavior is to defend said racist behavior, then you must actually believe it’s defensible. Fire Chris Harrison,” a third mentioned.
While someone else quipped “Good morning, time to fire Chris Harrison,” and many more echoing the sentiment – with some tagging the controversial show creator, Mike Fleiss.
Ex Bachelorette Rachel is being called on by fans to be the next host – something she admitted she’d be open to doing.
