Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner admits LYING about not dating after wife’s death

Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner has admitted he lied about not dating other women between his wife's death in 2017 and appearing on the hit reality show.

When asked about his lies, which were exposed by The Hollywood Reporter, Turner, 72, said Katie Couric: “I guess I'd say this: I've dated some women, but then it becomes a matter of how you define whether you're in a relationship.”

Turner was exposed by an ex who gave her name as Carolyn. She said she dated the reality star for a year after his wife of 45 years died in 2017 from an infection.

Turner claimed on TV that Toni's death had plunged him into such deep grief that he only accepted the romance again after being approached to appear on the hit show.

But Carolyn – who is 14 years younger than Turner – says she started dating Turner just two months after his wife's death.

Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner has admitted in a new interview with Katie Couric that he lied about his romantic and career history. He has been seen with his fiancée Theresa Nist, who he met on the reality show and is now planning to get married

Turner, pictured in a glossy publicity photo for the show, has admitted he dated other women between his wife's death in 2017 and his appearance on the show

While Turner was introduced as a “retired restaurateur,” his LinkedIn profile shows he hasn't owned a restaurant since 1985, when he sold his Mr. Quick hamburger in Iowa (stock photo). He has since found work as a spa maintenance man

They grew so close that she spent time at his lake house in Indiana, but Turner later dumped her because she had gained 5 pounds.

When asked about those claims, the silver-tongued Casanova told Couric that his romance with Turner “didn't really last a few years.” Then he quickly changed the subject and said, “But I want to focus on what's going on right now.”

Carolyn said Turner callously abandoned her when she saw she had arrived before a school reunion, telling her, “I'm not taking you to the reunion if you look like that.”

She also accused him of being low on money, claiming he would make her pay for half of their meals before they went out to eat – so he could then pick up the check and look like a gentleman.

Turner allegedly demanded that Carolyn pay her own money after she moved in with him in July 2018 – although she says she managed to reduce his initial demand of $1,000 in monthly living expenses to $850.

According to Carolyn, cleanliness was also a bugbear for Turner. She claims he required her to make the bed every morning before breakfast.

Turner is pictured with his new fiancée Theresa Nist, who he met on The Golden Bachelor and is now planning to marry. Despite the accusations, she stands by him

Other women have also claimed that Turner dated them between Toni's wife and his appearance on the show.

Turner proposed to Theresa Nist during the ABC show's finale, with his new lover standing by him despite the embarrassing revelations about his past.

The star further admitted that his claims of being a successful retired restaurateur were exaggerated – and that the burger shop he owned closed in 1985.

Turner, who has since worked as a spa maintenance man, told Couric, “The business I had was a lot like the Cadillac Diner that Theresa and I went to on the very first date. I sold burgers, fries and shakes, and it was a very profitable business.

“And the comments about what I did later in life, I did after I retired. I retired at the age of 55, and I was very happy to give back to the community and do things that were worth something to other people.

“I mean, gosh, I didn't work as a handyman for the money. I did it because I knew I was doing something good for people who needed help.

'There's just enough truth in (the article). But I have so many positives to think about that I haven't really paid much attention to them.”

Turner and his latest love Theresa will now get married on TV, in a special titled The Golden Wedding.

The couple has discussed moving to Charleston, South Carolina to start their life together.