'Bachelor' castoff Desiree Hartsock named next 'Bachelorette'

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LOS ANGELES, March 12 (UPI) -- "The Bachelor" castoff Desiree Hartsock is to star in Season 9 of the U.S. dating competition show "The Bachelorette," ABC announced.

"Desiree Hartsock and the 'Bachelor Nation' faithful thought she would happily end up with America's favorite bachelor, Sean Lowe," the network said in a news release Tuesday. "Their relationship started off incredibly strong, but somewhere along the way Desiree lost her confidence. After struggling to regain what they once had, Sean and Desiree seemed to be on the right track -- until the hometown dates. Millions watched, stunned, as Sean sent Desiree home, and they fell even more in love with her as she struggled to tell him he was making a big mistake. Now it's time for Desiree to call the shots when she gets her second chance to find love."

The show is to premiere May 20, with Chris Harrison to serve as host.

Lowe proposed to Catherine Giudici in the season finale of "The Bachelor" Monday night.