| The Bachelor | |
|---|---|
| Season 8 | |
| Starring | Locky Gilbert |
| Presented by | Osher Günsberg |
| No. of contestants | 25 |
| Winner | Irena Srbinovska |
| Runner-up | Bella Varelis |
| No. of episodes | 14 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Network 10 |
| Original release | 12 August – 24 September 2020 |
| Season chronology | |
The eighth season of The Bachelor premiered on 12 August 2020.[1][2] This season features Locky Gilbert, a 30-year-old adventure tour guide from Perth, Western Australia.[3][4] Gilbert previously appeared on the fourth and seventh seasons of Australian Survivor, where he finished in fifth and twelfth place respectively.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, filming in the mansion was suspended midway through the season. Two virtual episodes (referred to "Love In Lockdown" on the show) were produced during the hiatus via virtually through videoconferences. Production resumed in June throughout Australia on a lockdown format, Osher Günsberg continued to host at the mansion in Sydney, while Gilbert was isolated in Perth and the remaining contestants in their respective hometowns, the show stated that they would be unable to ensure the safety of contestants and crew, especially with the need for safety precautions which would need to be implemented and government restrictions such as social distancing and travel bans.[5]