by Gina Scarpa

Who could forget Ben Flajnik's reaction when Ashley Hebert turned down his proposal on last season of The Bachelorette? As she tried to let him down gently, he let her know that he didn't need her compliments and things that end, usually end badly. As he headed home, shocked and heartbroken, she was getting engaged to JP Rosenbaum.

Since then, Ben has maintained a pretty low profile, except for his brief romance (if you want to call it that) with Jennifer Love Hewitt. The spotlight is about to be turned up, though, as he becomes the newest Bachelor. Next Monday, he'll meet 25 available women, who will undoubtedly be clamoring at the chance to get thirty seconds alone with him. "You know, normally I'm very cool, calm, and collected," he told reporters last week. "But that first limo pulled up, you know, sheer panic and terror kind of set in."

As if trying to pick a life partner in front of millions of people isn't stressful enough, the preview for the upcoming season shows an ex-girlfriend showing up to shake things up - a move that, of course, doesn't sit well with the women on the show. "You know, those are difficult moments. Those are difficult situations to be put in," he said. "And, yes I understand that it's a part of the show. I understand that's, you know, what I signed up for."

So will Ben find love this season on The Bachelor? "I, obviously can't tell you that," he said. "But, you know, I'm happy with my decision in doing - in doing the show." Are you convinced?

Check out the preview of The Bachelor and let us know what you think!

The Bachelor premieres Monday, January 2nd, at 8/7c on ABC.

(Image courtesy of ABC)

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