‘All My Children’ actress Susan Lucci says she was asked to host ‘The Golden Bachelor’

“All My Children” alum Susan Lucci once had a chance to look for love on “The Bachelorette” — but she turned it down.

“I think they contacted my publicist and it wasn’t my case” – actress, 77, he told People in an interview published on Friday.

Despite turning down ABC’s offer, Lucci said she loved watching the debut season of “The Golden Bachelor” starring Gerry Turner.

“I really enjoyed watching ‘The Golden Bachelor.’ This is a new addiction for me,” she enthused.

Lucci watched “The Bachelor” for several seasons. She told People that her assistant convinced her to watch it and she was immediately intrigued.

“I got involved straight away. I cared. I wanted to learn more about these people,” she recalls.

Lucci’s lack of interest in joining the franchise allowed one of Turner’s contestants, Joan Vassos, to land the gig.

“The secret is out! I’m honored to be #TheGoldenBachelorette!” – she wrote on her Instagram story on May 14, when the exciting news was announced.

Vassos, 61, was a fan favorite on Turner’s season as the pair bonded over each other’s loss of spouses. Turner buried his wife in 2017 after she succumbed to a bacterial infection, and Vassos’ husband died in 2021 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Despite their deep bond, Vassos left the program after three weeks to help care for her daughter, who was struggling with postpartum depression.

According to her ABC biography, she is now returning to the reality show to meet “a family man with whom she will connect her life.”

Turner, 72, proposed to Theresa Nist during his season finale, and they walked down the aisle in January.

Three months later, they announced their divorce.