The hunt for Australia’s next Golden Bachelor has taken a surprising turn, with two faces from the first season being linked to potential 2026 bachelors in the running.

Daily Mail can reveal Channel Nine has shortlisted two hunks, but a source close to production said they both carry romantic baggage producers aren’t aware of.

Insiders said Neil McIntosh (My Mum, Your Dad) and charismatic Gold Coast sports commentator Craig Trinder are now firm contenders for the 2026 season.

However, their dating histories are said to already be causing chaos behind the scenes.

‘Neil and Craig are absolutely in the mix… but the Golden Bachelor world is small. Very small. We’re hoping these boys are still single,’ a Nine casting insider said.

Both men are perfect on paper, with Neil labelled as charming, grounded, and ‘husband material’ by My Mum, Your Dad viewers.

The hunt for Australia’s next Golden Bachelor has taken a surprising turn, with two faces from the first season being linked to potential 2026 bachelors in the running. Pictured: Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden

Insiders said Neil McIntosh (left)—from My Mum, Your Dad—and charismatic Gold Coast sports commentator Craig Trinder (right) are now firm contenders for the 2026 season

Meanwhile, Craig is said to be smooth-talking, well-liked, and big-hearted with a big personality.

But producers have hit an unexpected snag, as both men have been linked to Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden’s Golden Bachelor rejects.

Daily Mail understands Craig was romantically linked to media personality Bianca Dye in the past year.

Insiders described their vibe as ‘fun’ and ‘flirty’, with whispers of a Gold Coast romance quickly circulating among industry types.

While nothing was officially confirmed, the rumours did not go unnoticed by Nine’s casting team.

Meanwhile, Neil has allegedly been growing close to Catherine Kirwan, one of Bear’s standout bachelorettes from the inaugural season.

Sources said there may still be a spark there—the kind of loose end that could derail a Golden Bachelor storyline.

‘If an ex pops up during filming… nightmare,’ one casting insider admitted.

 Daily Mail understands Craig was romantically linked to media personality Bianca Dye, 52, in the past year

Meanwhile, Neil has allegedly been growing close to Catherine Kirwan, 56, one of Bear’s standout bachelorettes from the inaugural season

They went on to say producers for the 2026 season are quickly discovering the pool of eligible, emotionally intelligent, over-50 men with on-camera charisma is tiny.

One casting source joked: ‘Honestly, they’ve all dated someone who knows someone who dated someone else. It’s like musical chairs for fifty-something romantics.’

The dating pool is so small producers are being forced to overlook complicated dating pasts for a bachelor who is single, emotionally available and TV-ready.

‘As long as they walk into the mansion single and open-hearted, that’s what matters,’ a source said, though some joked both of these things are still in serious contention.

Insiders stressed that despite the romantic crossovers, both Neil and Craig remain strong contenders, with Nine watching their relationship status very closely.

‘They’re handsome, charming, emotionally intelligent and genuinely lovely blokes,’ the insider added.

‘Any woman in Australia would be lucky to date them… we just need to make sure they’re not already taken!’

Daily Mail has reached out to Bianca, Catherine, Craig, Neil, and Nine for further comment.