After much anticipation, Nine’s The Golden Bachelor premiered on Monday and there were plenty of Spanx, tears, and even a few X-rated surprises.

Following an emotional introduction in which he spoke about his late wife Audrey, debut Golden Bachelor Australia’s Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, 61, admitted the incoming crop of 20 ladies had a lot to live up to.

‘Audrey was more than one in a million, she was one in six billion,’ he said.

‘It’s been 14 years since her passing. I know deep down no one can replace her, but with the boys’ [sons Charlie, 21, Jack, 20, and Declan, 17] love and support, I know I can possibly find love again.’

Bear also revealed to host Samantha Armytage that he was scared of ‘putting himself out there’ and being vulnerable.

He needn’t have worried though, with all the women instantly swooning over his chiselled good looks and charming personality on first introductions.

Following an emotional introduction in which he spoke about his late wife Audrey, debut Golden Bachelor Australia's Barry 'Bear' Myrden, 61, admitted the incoming crop of 20 ladies had a lot to live up to

Following an emotional introduction in which he spoke about his late wife Audrey, debut Golden Bachelor Australia’s Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, 61, admitted the incoming crop of 20 ladies had a lot to live up to

A few ladies went above and beyond to distinguish themselves from the pack, not least of which Brazilian-born Elizete, 54, who stepped out in a colourful and eye-catching Carnivale-inspired number.  

Referring to herself as a warrior princess, Elizete quickly signalled her intention to throw Bear ‘over her shoulder and take him home’ before giving him a quick Samba lesson that saw her get up close and personal before launching into a booty dance. 

Pip, 60, was left hot and bothered – but maybe not over Bear. 

‘He made me feel flustered. I can feel it now. I do take HRT, so hopefully it’s not the menopause,’ she joked. 

Lauren, 60, also made an impression, arriving on the back of a majestic black stallion, while Sunny, 58, thought outside the box with an impromptu golf lesson – presenting the balls down her top. 

Bear noted that the racy lesson saw Sunny wrap herself around him and ‘touch a few other places as well’.  

Radio star Bianca Dye, 52, was over the moon to discover that Bear was a ‘spunk bubble’. 

‘You are a dirty big spunk,’ she told her potential paramour. ‘Thank God you’re hot,’ before adding to the camera: ‘Look out, ladies, it’s game on, molls.’

Ladies quickly flocked to Bear ¿ like seagulls around a discarded chip ¿ vying for his attention and a chance to nab a competitive edge

Ladies quickly flocked to Bear – like seagulls around a discarded chip – vying for his attention and a chance to nab a competitive edge

She struggled with her outfit, however, joking that she was snugged in some control underwear. 

‘I’m like a Shar Pei puppy naked. Oh my god, my Spanx are so tight, I can’t breathe!’ she said. 

Bianca’s initial bravado waned when it came time for the cocktail party.

She admitted she felt like she was back in high school, being overlooked by the popular boy – and also admitted she was struggling with hot flashes.  

Of the 19 women Bear met before the cocktail party, it was 66-year-old Jan – the oldest contestant in the series – who seemed to strike an instant spark.

She kept things simple, arriving with a bottle of bubbles and a toast to ‘taking risks’ and Bear was instantly smitten. 

‘I couldn’t take my eyes off her,’ he confessed to the camera.

‘Jan is something very special. I think we fit each other quite well.’

Fans had been gearing up to see Abbie Chatfield’s mum, Laura, have her big moment with Bear.

A few ladies went above and beyond to distinguish themselves from the pack, not least of which Brazilian-born Elizete, 54, who stepped out in a colourful and eye-catching Carnivale-inspired number

A few ladies went above and beyond to distinguish themselves from the pack, not least of which Brazilian-born Elizete, 54, who stepped out in a colourful and eye-catching Carnivale-inspired number 

Referring to herself as a warrior princess, Elizette quickly signalled her intention to throw Bear 'over her shoulder and take him home'

Referring to herself as a warrior princess, Elizette quickly signalled her intention to throw Bear ‘over her shoulder and take him home’ 

She him a quick Samba lesson that saw her get up close and personal before launching into a booty dance

She him a quick Samba lesson that saw her get up close and personal before launching into a booty dance 

Sunny, 58, thought outside the box with an impromptu golf lesson - presenting the balls down her top

Sunny, 58, thought outside the box with an impromptu golf lesson – presenting the balls down her top 

Bear noted that the racy lesson saw Sunny wrap herself around him and 'touch a few other places as well'

Bear noted that the racy lesson saw Sunny wrap herself around him and ‘touch a few other places as well’

But it fell flat as she received barely a minute of airtime in the anticipated first episode.

‘Welcome to the mansion,’ Bear eagerly said to Laura as she approached him for the first time.

‘Beautiful, isn’t it? My name’s Laura,’ she replied.

Then it was time for the cocktail party, and Elizette revealed that she had already fallen for the hunky Bachelor.

‘I love him – already I’m in love,’ she declared.

‘He’s gorgeous – actually, he’s delicious.’

Ladies quickly flocked to Bear – like seagulls around a discarded chip – vying for his attention and a chance to nab a competitive edge.

However, Bianca Dye struggled to pluck up the courage to chat to Bear, due to her shyness and fear of rejection.

Bianca Dye struggled to pluck up the courage to chat to Bear, due to her shyness and fear of rejection

Bianca Dye struggled to pluck up the courage to chat to Bear, due to her shyness and fear of rejection

'I'm like a Shar Pei puppy naked. Oh my god, my Spanx are so tight, I can't breathe!' she said

‘I’m like a Shar Pei puppy naked. Oh my god, my Spanx are so tight, I can’t breathe!’ she said

Lauren, 60, also made an impression, arriving on the back of a majestic black stallion

Lauren, 60, also made an impression, arriving on the back of a majestic black stallion

‘I’ve done breakfast radio for 14 years. The thought of sitting one-on-one with him makes me want to vomit,’ she revealed to her competitors.

It was an issue Bianca struggled with for the entire cocktail party, breaking down as she became convinced she was leaving without a rose.

‘I just kept finding excuses not to go up,’ she said to the camera, struggling to hold back tears.

‘It’s triggering everything in me – it feels like every rejection I’ve ever had was coming to the surface.’

Sunny was the first to nab some alone time with Bear, but it was cut short, thanks to a nearby revving car engine. 

It wasn’t a noisy neighbour, but rather the 20th hopeful, motorsport enthusiast Kim, 60, who made a fashionably late, albeit noisy, arrival in her Porsche.

Kim’s arrival threw a bit of a spanner in the works for the rest of the ladies, apart from Lauren, who quickly recognised her as one of her best friends.

Bear and Jan bonded again in an intimate one-on-one chat in which she revealed her heartache at never having children.

Fans had been gearing up to see Abbie Chatfield's mum, Laura, have her big moment with Bear

Fans had been gearing up to see Abbie Chatfield’s mum, Laura, have her big moment with Bear

Bear gave the First Impression rose to the woman who stood head and shoulders above the rest. It didn't take Bear too long to decide, giving the rose to Jan

Bear gave the First Impression rose to the woman who stood head and shoulders above the rest. It didn’t take Bear too long to decide, giving the rose to Jan

Of the 19 women Bear met before the cocktail party, it was 66-year-old Jan ¿ the oldest contestant in the series ¿ who seemed to strike an instant spark

Of the 19 women Bear met before the cocktail party, it was 66-year-old Jan – the oldest contestant in the series – who seemed to strike an instant spark

She kept things simple, arriving with a bottle of bubbles and a toast to 'taking risks' and Bear was instantly smitten. 'I couldn't take my eyes off her,' he confessed to the camera

She kept things simple, arriving with a bottle of bubbles and a toast to ‘taking risks’ and Bear was instantly smitten. ‘I couldn’t take my eyes off her,’ he confessed to the camera

‘My ex couldn’t have kids, so by the time we divorced, I was 40 and that option was kind of out the window,’ she told Bear. 

Breaking down in tears as she confessed to the camera, Jan added, ‘It took me a long time to get over that, and realise that I wasn’t going to be that mother. Them’s the breaks.’

Samantha returned to throw another spanner in the works – a single red rose.

She revealed it as the First Impression rose, which Bear was to give to the woman who stood head and shoulders above the rest. 

It didn’t take Bear too long to decide, giving the rose to Jan.

Then it was time for the inaugural Golden Bachelor rose ceremony, and, with 16 roses up for grabs, three women were on the verge of being sent home.

Still disappointed with her lacklustre showing at the cocktail party, Bianca was convinced she was walking away empty-handed.

It all came down to the wire, though, with Bear giving the radio veteran the final rose of the evening.

‘Oh my god I’m going to cry, I’m going to vomit,’ she confessed after accepting the rose.  

It was a different story for hopefuls Jane, 60, Shana, 60, and Angela, 52, who were sent packing after failing to make an impression on Bear.

The Golden Bachelor continues at 7:30pm on Tuesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.