Gerry Turner on ‘The Golden Bachelor’.Photo:ABC/Brian Bowen Smith

Gerry Turner, The Golden Bachelor, AMBC

ABC/Brian Bowen Smith

Gerry Turneris focused on his future withfiancéeTheresa Nist.

When asked about claimsThe Golden Bachelormisrepresented his dating history as a widower, the retired restaurateur, 72, told theLos Angeles Times, “My only response is that I have so many positive things in my life right now.”

Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner on ‘The Golden Bachelor’.Disney/John Fleenor

Golden Bachelor Gerry and Theresa’s cutest quotes

Disney/John Fleenor

Despite the controversy, Turner told theLA Timesthat he felt the show “accomplished something very meaningful and historic.”

“Because of how strong the women were and how much I enjoyed the journey, the message of hope, that at our age we were still meaningful and we can still find love, came out so strongly,” he shared. “That is the part of history that I hope carries on.”

He added: “Theresa and I have gotten so many letters from people who have said, ‘We’ve watched you on the show and we have developed so much confidence that we are going to go out there and date.’”

Theresa Nist and Gerry Turner on ‘The Golden Bachelor’.ABC/Craig Sjodin

Golden Bachelor Gerry and Theresa’s cutest quotes

ABC/Craig Sjodin

Turner previously opened up to PEOPLE abouthis dating failuresafter the death of hiswife Toniin 2017.

“I’ve dated a number of times since Toni’s passed, more recently than back closer to when she’s passed,” Turner shared. “For one reason or another, the attempts didn’t work out. I could give you a wide range of reasons, but it doesn’t really matter.”

Discouraged after putting himself back out there, Turner felt like he would never find love again.

“One failure led to another for a variety of reasons,” he said. “It was actually about three and a half or four years, I just finally realized that, ‘OK, I’m happy with myself. If I am going to be alone, I can deal with it.’”

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The Golden Bachelorcan be streamed on Hulu.

source: people.com