Ben Flajnik Cast as Next 'Bachelor,' Say Sources

The winemaker from Sonoma, Calif., was the runner-up on Ashley Hebert's season of "The Bachelorette."

5:13 PM PDT 8/24/2011 by Kimberly Nordyke

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ABC

It looks like ABC has found its next Bachelor.

Sources said Ben Flajnik, the runner-up on the most recent season of The Bachelorette, has been tapped to star in the next season of ABC's reality show.

STORY: 'The Bachelorette' Finale: Ashley Hebert Bestows Final Rose

The network doesn't comment on casting ahead of official announcements, but Flajnik was rumored to be one of the front-runners since he was rebuffed by Ashley Hebert in the season finale of Bachelorette earlier this month.

Ryan Park and Ames Brown, who also appeared on Hebert's season, also were among the names floated as possible candidates.

STORY: 'The Bachelorette': A Closer Look at Ashley Hebert’s Engagement Ring

Flajnik, 28, is a winemaker from Sonoma, Calif. In the finale, he was seen getting down on one knee to propose to Hebert before she told him she had chosen J.P. Rosenbaum instead. Flajnik was seen departing the show angry over Hebert’s decision rather than resigned to it, as most runner-ups usually react.

VIDEO: 'Bachelorette' Ashley Hebert Talks About Future with Fiancé J.P. Rosenbaum

After the show ended, tabloids claimed that he went on a date with Jennifer Love Hewitt, who later shot the reports down as "rumors."

VIDEO: 'Bachelorette's' Ashley Hebert, JP Rosenbaum Reveal Wedding Date on 'Good Morning America'