‘Golden Bachelorette’ Frontrunner Suffers Surprising Injury

One of Joan Vassos’ most promising suitors on The Golden Bachelorette revealed he suffered an injury so severe that he needed surgery.

And strangely, the contestant is the ER doctor, Guy Gansert.

The 66-year-old shared news of his medical drama in a cheeky Instagram post he made just before the ABC reality show premiered on Sept. 18.

Now that a few episodes of The Golden Bachelorette have aired, it’s become a shocking story with many viewers wondering if Guy was injured on set.

So what did the physician say and what's the truth? Read on to find out more.

Who is Guy Gansert?

Guy Gansert, who has established himself as one of Joan’s leading contenders, is a distinguished emergency room doctor from Reno, Nev.

According to LinkedIn, he works for Northern Nevada Emergency Physicians. From 2005 to 2007, Guy served as the Chief of Staff at Renown Medical Center. Earlier in his career, from 1994 to 2005, he was the Medical Director for the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Renown Regional Emergency Room.

What happened to Guy Gansert’s wife?

Guy was married for more than 30 years to his wife Heidi S. Gansert, who was a prominent local Nevada politician, working as an assemblywoman in the state Senate. Heidi, a Republican, decided not to run for office again in 2024.

The two divorced, but still share the joy of their four grown children—daughters MacKenzie and Kirsten and sons Glenn and Hank. They share one grandchild, Idan, who's mother is oldest daughter MacKenzie, a lawyer.

Did Joan hit it off with Guy Gansert?

On premiere night, Guy created great chemistry with Joan. Out of the limo, Guy sprayed cologne on himself so Joan would remember him.

During episode 2, in which Guy went on a group date with Joan to a mock high school prom, he did a freestyle solo dance.

Unfortunately, another man had to help him up off the floor after he spun around the floor on his back!

But he got a great photo booth prom shot with Joan.

What has Guy said about his injury?

The hunk took to his own Instagram account on Sept. 4, showing a photo of himself with a heavily bandaged left knee. Guy confided he needed surgery.

He wrote in an explanatory caption, “So, besides having a “Transformational Journey” during the filming of the Golden Bachelorette, I take full responsibility for thinking my body is 25 years old instead of being in my “Golden Years”. My left knee required surgery for a meniscus tear(cartilage). I’ll be back to my old self in no time. Unfortunately, my plans to hike Mount Kilamanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, followed by a safari in three weeks will have to wait until next year. ??????.”

Has Guy talked about his injury since then?

After an Instagram follower of the doctor asked two weeks ago for an update, Guy said he was, “A little better every day.”

Did Guy explain how he injured his knee?

No. But Parade has learned that Guy did NOT get injured during filming of the show.

While we don't know exactly how his romantic journey ended with Joan, Guy suffered his meniscus tear after ending his time on The Golden Bachelorette.

The show reportedly finished the shoot in August, and Guy posted his injury news in September.

Although Guy didn't get injured on set, fans know that on episode 3, many of Joan’s senior men got banged up during a competitive kickball game.

Chock said in confessional that half the men got physically hurt. While it looked like no one got a serious injury, some benefitted from ice packs.

Where does Guy finish on The Golden Bachelorette?

According to franchise spoiler expert Reality Steve, Guy will wind up as Joan’s number two or three, supposedly going all the way to fantasy suites. Although he first named Guy as Joan’s winner, Steve has since changed that prediction to Chock Chapple as her final pick.

The TV blogger claimed that Guy, Chock and Frenchman Pascal Ibgui were Joan's final 3 and that Pascal eventually self-eliminated because he "wasn't in love with Joan." However, Steve doesn’t know if Guy wound up as final three or her runner-up.

The Golden Bachelorette airs Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC!.