Malvern contestant Charles Ling was sent home from The Golden Bachelorette last week but despite fans’ sadness, Ling said he leaves with a different form of love: friendship, writes Franki Rudnesky for PhillyVoice.

Ling, who is a retired data analyst, lost his wife to a brain aneurysm. Going onto the ABC dating show allowed him to connect with his fellow contestants and lead Joan Vassos, whom he bonded with over the loss of their spouses. While he didn’t receive a rose, he gained a slew of support from viewers and the other bachelors.

Some of the fun events they did together included a kickball tournament where he helped his team to victory and learned how to do a body roll with the Chippendale dancers.

“I came in, arrived at the mansion with sadness, and missed my wife,” he said as he was leaving. “After several weeks here at the mansion, it really helped me pull out myself from the hardship that I experienced. I think I have achieved way more than I expected.”

Vassos said at his departure, “You changed my life and I love you,” reminiscent of Delaware County’s Susan Noles and her friendship with bachelor lead Gerry Turner.

Fans reacted on social media expressing their heartbreak at Ling leaving the show and hoping he’ll make another appearance in future programs like After the Final Rose episode or even Dancing with the Stars.

Read more about Charles Ling leaving the show but staying in the hearts of thousands at PhillyVoice.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on VISTA Today in October 2024.