Does Chock Chapple Leave ‘The Golden Bachelorette’? Season 1 Spoilers After Shocking Episode

In the October 9, 2024, episode of The Golden Bachelorette, Chock Chapple made a shocking announcement with tears in his eyes about his future on the show. Fans were curious if it would be the end of his relationship with Joan Vassos. WARNING: Spoilers for season 1 of The Golden Bachelorette ahead!

Chock Chapple Said He Had to ‘Leave’ in ‘Golden Bachelorette’ Episode 4 

After having a great time on the group date with Joan in episode 4, the following day, Chock learned that his mother had died.

“I just want you to know I’m gonna leave,” Chock told the men in the episode with tears in his eyes. “This is a fear of mine. I don’t know if I can do this.”

He later had a conversation with Joan where he told her he had to leave to go home and take care of his family. “I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know,” he told her before getting into the backseat of a car. However, he very subtly hinted that he might be back at some point, for his connection with Joan was far too strong to let go of. 

Joan was absolutely devastated, as she said that she has the deepest connection with Chock out of all of the guys.

“I feel so bad for him,” Joan said, through tears. “And if he doesn’t return, that changes this whole journey for me.”

Does Chock Chapple Really Leave ‘The Golden Bachelorette’?

Chock did not permanently leave The Golden Bachelorette. During the cocktail party in episode 4, he ended up returning to the show. 

“The passing of my mother was extremely tough … There was no way I was not coming back,” he said of the opportunity to build on his relationship with Joan. Joan was thrilled to have him back, giving him a sweet embrace.

And it seems like he will go far on the show. According to Reality Steve, the TV blogger reported on September 18, 2024, that Chock is the winner of Joan’s season and he stood by his spoilers during a podcast episode on October 4, 2024.

Who Do You Want to See as the Next Golden Bachelor?

“I saw the preview for next week’s episode, and yeah, it does look like Chock goes home. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t return,” Steve explained at the time. He also pointed out that a previous trailer for the whole season showed Chock at a point in the show that hasn’t happened yet. 

“He might go home next episode, or maybe he leaves for a couple hours,” Steve added. “I have no idea, but what’s more important is the season preview video clearly shows he’s in Tahiti [later in the season], which is where they go for overnights and final rose ceremony. So what happens next episode to me is kind of irrelevant because I know he’s coming back to the show because he wins.”

Steve suggested at the time that perhaps Chock goes home for a family emergency and then returns for another shot with Joan. “You can’t be swayed too much by editing on this show,” he reminded listeners. “The editors know exactly what they’re doing. They would never, ever just give away something like that.” 

Why Did Joan Vassos Leave ‘The Golden Bachelor’? 

Before Joan was the Golden Bachelorette, she was a contestant on the Golden Bachelor and actually did have to leave the show for a family emergency. Joan’s daughter had just given birth and was struggling with postpartum depression, so Joan rushed home to be by her side.

Producers offered Joan the chance to return to the show and she even had a flight booked to come back for another shot with Gerry Turner. However, she decided not to take it because her daughter “wasn’t doing good again,” she explained. 

“Once a mom, always a mom, and sometimes the timing doesn’t work out with finding love,” Joan admitted after her departure. The Maryland native has four children, while Chock is a proud dad of two.