Meet Australia’s first ‘Golden Bachelor’: Widowed father-of-three Barry Myrden set to find love again as spin-off series begins filming on the Sydney Harbour

Australia, meet your very first Golden Bachelor.

Cameras have officially started rolling on the Samantha Armytage-hosted Channel Nine dating show for older, single romantics looking for a second shot at love. 

Daily Mail Australia can exclusively reveal Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, a 50-something infrastructure engineer and passionate sailor from Sydney, has been handpicked as the leading man for the upcoming Australian adaptation.

In exclusive pictures, Myrden was seen filming the show in Sydney on Wednesday. 

He channelled James Bond as he piloted a retro Italian speedboat across the Harbour while dressed in a black tuxedo and matching bow tie. 

Myrden, a father of three and a respected professional in the tech industry, currently works in Data Centre Management for Woolworths Group.

Widowed father-of-three and infrastructure engineer Barry Myrden is Australia’s new Golden Bachelor

Myrden, a respected professional in the tech industry, currently works in Data Centre Management for Woolworths Group and is a passionate sailor 

With decades of experience in his field, he has held senior roles at major companies like Macquarie Bank and the NSW Port Authority.

But while his career has flourished, sources close to Daily Mail Australia reveal that his personal journey has been marked by tragedy – Myrden is widowed.

‘Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying that he is bringing around the wrong kind of girls that are just too young and hot for him,’ one friend revealed.

‘We were always saying that he needs to be put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise.’

Despite his corporate background, Myrden is far from your typical office-bound executive.

A passionate sailor, he has competed in high-profile races like the Sydney to Hobart.

In one photo captured during one of his recent sailing ventures, Myrden looked handsome and rugged as he manned a yacht.

Unlike The Bachelor and The Bachelorette which feature young men and women, the Golden Bachelor is targeted at a more mature audience eager to watch how those who have already experienced great love and loss are chasing companionship in their next chapter.

Myrden channelled James Bond as he drove a retro Italian speedboat across the Harbour while dressed in a black tuxedo and matching bow-tie 

 With decades of experience in his field, Myrden has held senior roles at major companies like Macquarie Bank and the NSW Port Authority

The Sydney-based suitor was seen filming outside The Bachelor pad in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs on Wednesday

Barry was pictured arriving at the Bachelor mansion dressed in a button-up shirt and black pants

Nine secured the rights for The Golden Bachelor in Australia and Samantha (pictured) has been signed up to host the reality dating show

Samantha was seen chatting to a security guard outside the mansion, who eventually let her inside after telling them she was the host of the show

‘Bear is not your usual reality TV type,’ an insider told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘He’s charming, intelligent and has really lived a full life. He’s been through love, loss and now he’s ready to open his heart again. Women are going to adore him.’

Local fans of the The Golden Bachelor have been calling for an Australian version since the U.S. version premiered last year to critical acclaim.

Producers are keeping tight-lipped about the contestants vying for Myrden’s heart, but if the U.S. series is anything to go by the show promises to deliver a mix of heartwarming moments, deep connections and unexpected twists.

In November, it was reported The Golden Bachelor has been scouting for contestants in a very unusual way.

A talent scout for the show was spotted handing out business cards to attendees at Royal Randwick racecourse in Sydney.

Casting agent Ivanna Tang opted for the unusual method of attempting to recruit racegoers to the upcoming spin-off show.

Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed that Australia will be getting a spin-off for the series back in November 2023. 

Myrden, far right, is pictured with his three sons 

While Myrden’s career has flourished, sources close to Daily Mail Australia reveal that his personal journey has been marked by tragedy – he is widowed

‘Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying that he is bringing around the wrong of girls that are just too young and hot for him,’ one friend revealed

‘We were always saying that he needs to put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise,’ added a friend. (Pictured with INXS musician Kirk Pengilly)

The series will be hosted by Sam Armytage (pictured) and follows The Bachelor format 

Nine secured the rights for The Golden Bachelor in Australia and Samantha Armytage has been signed up to host the reality dating show.

Samantha got involved with the casting call, urging people to give their family members a ‘nudge’.

The outgoing Farmer Wants A Wife host had shocked fans when she stepped down from Seven after 21 years, sparking wild rumours about her next step.

Her new TV gig on The Golden Bachelor was finally revealed at Nine’s Upfronts in November, where the network’s schedule of 2025 programming was unveiled to invited guests.

The U.S. version of the show has been wildly successful, with its finale garnering 6.1million viewers, making it the most watched final episode of the American Bachelor franchise since 2021.

Channel Nine and Warner Bros. did not respond to queries when approached for comment.