Sean Lowe, Emily Maynard's Ex, Is The Next 'Bachelor'

Sean Lowe, 28, might have finished third in the esteem of Emily Maynard during her season eight of The Bachelorette, as he was sent home before runner-up Arie Luyendyk and winner Jef Holm (who is reportedly still going strong with Emily), but that doesn't mean that ABC, home to The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, feels the same way about the sweet-tempered, studly blond businessman with the million-dollar smile and the bulging biceps.

Everyone should have known when they heard the hearts of single ladies in America collectively break last July all at once when a tearful Maynard sent a poised Lowe home. "I was standing at that rose ceremony thinking I was going to marry her," Lowe explained to People at the time. But now that it's been announced Lowe will be handing out the next series of roses, the nation — and the lucky ladies chosen to compete for Lowe's affections — can rejoice again.

"I'm an open-minded optimist, and I believe the process can work. If I found my wife, it would be worth it," he said of being the upcoming Bachelor on the 17th season of the ABC show, hosted by Chris Harrison.

Season 17 of The Bachelor will launch, with Lowe getting handed a chance to find love again, in January.

Get Uinterview's FREE iPhone App For Daily News Updates here.

For more like this:

Who Will Be The Next Bachelor?

SPOILERS: Will Emily Maynard Choose Jef Or Arie? Who Will Be The Next Bachelor?

'Bachelorette' Emily Maynard Leaves Two Standing

'Bachelorette' Emily Maynard Is Nobody's 'Trophy Wife'

'The Bachelorette' Gets Hopping Mad At Kalon, Orders Him Out

SPOILERS: Who Does Ben Flajnik Pick On Season Finale Of 'The Bachelor'

RECAP: 'Bachelorette' Emily Maynard Reveals She's Not Perfect

WATCH: 'Women Tell All' On 'The Bachelor'

And Then There Were Two: Week 9 Of 'The Bachelor'

VIDEO: Ben Flajnik Debuts As 'The Bachelor'