In a move never before done on the hit ABC dating competition ‘The Bachelor,’ former contestant Brad Womack will return as the bachelor looking for love during the next season of the hit reality show, PEOPLE is reporting. Announced during the September 27 episode of another hit reality competition on the network, ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ host Tom Bergeron confirmed the news, saying “Brad, this time, pick somebody!” This references the fact that Womack shocked ‘Bachelor’ fans by being the first contestant to reject both finalists (DeAnna Pappas and Jenni Croft) during the finale of his season in 2007.

‘Bachelor’ host Chris Harrison admitted to PEOPLE that when he first found out about ABC’s decision to bring Womack back, he was skeptical. “But the more I thought about it, the more I fell in love with the idea of him coming back, getting another shot,” Harrison also said.

Womack received so much backlash from fans after his first season ended that he went into hiding. “I don’t think Brad deserved as much of the anger and resentment from the fans,” Harrison also said. “He’s come out a better man and I think he’s ready to do this.”

Written by: Karnen Benardello