Gerry Turner, the star of “Golden Bachelor,” is battling cancer.

He disclosed his diagnosis during a recent interview with People, published on Wednesday, as the first lead on ABC’s senior dating series.

At 72, Turner explained that he injured his shoulder while teaching pickleball three years ago and delayed seeing an orthopedic specialist. Following the conclusion of his season of “Golden Bachelor,” he finally visited a doctor, where they detected some issues in his bloodwork.

ABC has chosen not to comment on the matter.

“I believe it’s important to clarify what occurred during the months of February, March, and April,” Turner mentioned in his conversation with People.

“Receiving such alarming news initially feels overwhelming, but after some time passes, it’s crucial to focus on what truly matters, helping you to move forward,” he said.

Understanding Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia

Not long after his diagnosis, Turner learned he had Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia, a type of bone marrow cancer classified as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This condition turns certain white blood cells cancerous, according to the Mayo Clinic.

“Sadly, there’s no cure for this condition, which heavily influences every choice I make,” Turner expressed to People regarding his illness. “It felt like a gigantic weight had been placed on my shoulders, and I spent some time in denial about it.”

Influence of cancer on the divorce between Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist

Turner is speaking out now partly to explain the reasoning behind his and Theresa Nist’s decision to divorce in April.

Their relationship quickly transitioned from an engagement on the show to a wedding, and then to a divorce in just a few months.

Turner now states that their choice to separate was partly linked to his medical diagnosis and the shift in priorities it brought.

“I aimed to maintain as much normalcy in my life as possible, which involved prioritizing time with my family, including my two daughters, their husbands, and my grandkids. While my relationship with Theresa remained important, it became less of a central focus,” he explained to the media outlet.

Fans of the franchise expressed their disappointment upon hearing of Turner and Nist’s separation, as it followed a trend of unsuccessful couples from “Bachelor Nation.”

It appeared that being older did not shield them from the show’s notorious challenges in fostering lasting love. However, Turner expressed hope that sharing this personal insight might encourage fans to view the situation differently.

“I hope that this will encourage a shift in perspective, revealing that our decision wasn’t hasty or impulsive as many might think,” he conveyed to the publication.

He mentioned that he felt there was more beneath the surface.

Turner expressed his good wishes for Nist and referred to their shared experiences as “cherished memories.” At this point, he intends to fill his life with excitement and purpose.

“I plan to cram as much fun into my life as I can and embrace every single moment. When it’s my time to go, I want to leave without regrets,” he shared with People.

Gerry Turner played a key role in evolving ABC’s ‘Bachelor’ series

In 2023, Turner assisted ABC in exploring a new direction with a show aimed at the network’s older audience, offering a dating narrative that resonated with their experiences.

This gamble yielded great results as the “Golden Bachelor” attracted a large number of viewers, who appreciated seeing older contestants searching for love without the outrageous antics typical of the original program.

This fall, “The Golden Bachelorette,” a companion series, debuted and attracted around 2.8 billion viewers. The lead, Joan Vassos, accepted a proposal from contestant Chock Chapple during the final episode, and they are now planning their wedding.

“We are looking forward to a Chapter 2. We want to tie the knot,” Vassos told YSL News after the finale. “But right now, we’re enjoying the early stages of our relationship, like holding hands in public and dining together.”