Exclusive

Ryan Lochte "Out of the Running" for The Bachelor: "It's Down to Arie and Sean"

Exclusive! Sources reveal casting announcement is coming soon

By Kristin Dos Santos Sep 06, 2012 6:50 PMTags
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Ryan Lochte won't be rocking his Speedo in The Bachelor hot tub any time soon.

Lochte is now "out of the running" to be the next Bachelor, show sources reveal to me exclusively. 

"We honestly briefly considered him," says one source who works on the show. "But we are going elsewhere. It's really down to Arie and Sean."

Watch: Ryan Lochte Dishes on New TV Gigs

Arie Luyendyk, Jr. and Sean Lowe were fan favorites during the most recent Bachelorette season with Emily Maynard. I'm told producers are still finalizing their decision, and a casting announcement is expected "soon."

Now, don't start feeling all sorry for Lochte and his hot tub-less Speedo. Something tells us he won't be lacking for the ladies, and he's also racking up TV gigs faster than you can say "Jeah!"—with guest spots already lined up on 90210 and 30 Rock. And we are delighted to have Lochte on board as our E! News special correspondent covering Fashion Week in New York City this week. He'll be wearing much more than a Speedo, but hey, we will take it.

Lochte also has been offered a spot on Giuliana and Bill Rancic's new reality dating series on NBC, Ready for Love. No word yet on whether he will do it.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

We'll be interviewing Emily Maynard soon, so tweet any Bachelor or Bachelorette Q's you have to @kristindsantos.

Remember These Jaw-Dropping Bachelor Moments? Hiiiistoryyyy!