The real Bear Myrden has been laid bare.

Instagram/Channel Nine

While many young Aussies dream of a life in the spotlight, and see reality TV as a way to achieve their goal, our first ever Golden Bachelor Bear Myrden has candidly admitted he’s not sure it’s really for him.

“I don’t know if I can get used to this,” the star, 61, confessed to 9Entertainment when asked if he’d fallen in love with the magic of TV days before the long-awaited finale of his hit show.

“It’s crazy. It’s fun, I don’t mind the attention once-and-a-while but it’s pretty crazy!”

After all, having 20 single women vying for your affection in the Golden Bachelor mansion while all of the country watches is not exactly your average dating experience.

In a sneak peak of the final episode that left fans of the show feeling hopeful for the widower and father-of-three, Bear was heard claming to be “in love”. However, in a sad twist, it’s now believed Bear is single again after his reality TV foray.
There’s increasing speculation that Bear is single. (Credit: Channel Nine)

Telling interview hints at Bear’s relationship status

Triple M stars Beau, Cat and Woodsy only added fuel to the fire after interviewing the Canadian-born engineer recently.

“He had a look on his face. Like he has picked someone and either she has rejected him or he has rejected her,” Cat told listeners after the chat.

“You can tell he hasn’t found what he is looking for. I am saying he has found no one.”

While we hope with all our hearts that Bear has found his special someone to spend the rest of his life with, we couldn’ t help but feel curious about what his days were like before he decided to take a leap of faith and try his luck in the famed Bachie mansion.

So, what exactly is the Golden Bachelor like behind the scenes?

A peek at the star’s Instagram reveals a devoted dad who loves a bit of adrenaline and who has been deeply affected by devastating loss.
Bear Myrden in one of his Instagram photos. (Credit: Instagram/big_golden_bear)

How old are Bear Myrden’s kids?

Bear’s three boys, Declan, 18, Jack, 21, and Charlie, 22, – his sons with his late wife Audrey – feature heavily on his feed, but there are no lengthy captions to give an insight into Bear’s state of mind when he shared the candid snaps.

“I think your account’s been hacked Bazza, someone has posted a photo of you with your top on,” one friend commented on a shot of Bear aboard a sailing boat.

There’s a photo of a fancy BMW motorbike and a video of Bear going for a “Sunday drive” in a classic car.

Another shot shows a proud Bear posing with his son Declan as he prepared for his first day in Year 11.
“1st day of Year 11 for Declan. look how excited he Is!” Bear captioned this shot. (Credit: Instagram/big_golden_bear)

Bear’s heartbreaking throwback snap

One more throwback image shows Bear at a fancy dress party with his wife Audrey – an image that no doubt holds bittersweet memories.

Audrey would later be diagnosed with a brain tumour and pass away aged just 47, leaving Bear a widowed father of three.

“Audrey was more than one in a million; she was one in six billion,” Bear later told Channel Nine.
Bear and Audrey found lasting love. (Credit: Instagram/big_golden_bear)
“It’s been 14 years since her passing. I know deep down no one can replace her, but with the boys’ love and support, I know I can possibly find love again.”

The sad reality is, having been touched by a love that deep and having been a single dad for so long, such a feat was always going to be a tough ask – and the star’s Instagram photos only prove the point further.

Bear’s Bachelor bio described him as a devoted father who “thrives on adventure” with pastimes including sailing, skiing and riding his motorbike.

“Not a fan of dating apps, Bear believes in genuine connection. He values family and monogamy above all and knows what true love really feels like,” his bio stated.

Given his hesitation about embracing the limelight (Bear famously turned down a chance to be the Golden Bachelor previously, before his kids talked him into it), it’s perhaps unsurprising that he hasn’t always appeared to find it easy to connect with the women he was paired with on TV.
Bear’s boys talked him into appearing on the show. (Credit: Instagram/big_golden_bear)

Golden Bachelor is “ready to move on”

Contestant Nicolette Kenny, 55, gave an interesting insight when she described Bear as “very robot-like” at the start of their initial meeting.

“I think he was genuine, just nervous and not quite ready for it,” she told The Daily Mail. “He barely spoke to me, but he did speak more to the bigger personalities.”

When Samantha Armytage asked Bear what he was scared about during the first episode of the show, the bachelor’s reply again suggested he wasn’t totally at ease with the task ahead of him.

“Just putting myself out there and being vulnerable,” he said.

“I’m lacking in my life, just companionship,” he added. “I had the love of my life and I lost her and I think I’m ready to move on and find a lasting relationship.”

Before the show, Bear said he “thought” he was ready for love again.

Although we’ll have to wait and see who Bear gives his final rose to, and how the romance progresses once the cameras stop rolling, it’s safe to say that we are all hoping our beloved Golden Bachelor finds his happily-ever-after on, or off, our TV screens.