Chris Harrison Says He Knew Nick Viall Wanted To Return To ‘The Bachelorette’

Chris Harrison has been with The Bachelor and The Bachelorette since the beginning. He understands better than anyone how former contestants can hook up at season’s end. When it comes to Kaitlyn Bristowe and Nick Viall, Harrison reveals he knew they had talked prior to filming. Nick’s arrival in New York was no accident.

Harrison made the statements during an interview with TV Guide this week.

“When everything started to come together [with him wanting to return], we had already started production. We learned of this prior relationship that they had, and once we figured out he was in New York and we were headed there, we were like, ‘OK, this is where you can show up and talk to her and whatever happens, happens.’ “

Harrison said he was suspicious of Viall’s motives, but Kaitlyn had the final say.

“It seemed too obvious and convenient. So, I was very leery of Nick coming back. But you have to leave it up to her because obviously there were feelings there.”

Viall is well-known to Bachelorette fans as Andi Dorfman’s runner-up. He famously discussed his fantasy suite date with Andi during the After the Final Rose special, a move Dorfman called “below the belt.” Although Kaitlyn wrote in her blog for People that she was “Team Chris [Soules]” during Dorfman’s season, she was surprised at how different Nick seemed when she began to correspond with him prior to learning she was the new Bachelorette.

“We became close – or as close as two people can become who have never really met.”

Nick Viall has another fan in the Bachelorette family. Ali Fedotowsky, who gave out roses in Season 6, wrote in her blog that Nick is a solid option for Kaitlyn, in a group of otherwise less-than-ideal suitors. She also pointed out that Nick should not take heat for coming back so late in the season. Fedotowsky says that was definitely the producers’ decision.

“[I]t creates good drama right when the show needs it on most seasons — around episode 4 and 5… Kaitlyn had more tools than the average season so it’s taking her a bit longer to get rid of hers.”

Ali also defended Nick’s choice to talk about his intimacy with Andi. She applauded him for demonstrating that sex could actually mean something deep.

It is not the first time this season that Bachelorette producers have orchestrated a certain event. Harrison revealed in an earlier interview that Brady Toops’ dramatic exit to chase rejected Bachelorette Britt Nilsson was in some part structured by the show. However, Harrison insisted that the direction of what happens is ultimately up to the people involved.

The Bachelorette airs Mondays on ABC.

[Nick Viall photo courtesy of ABC.com]