“The Bachelor” franchise is officially entering its golden years. On Thursday, the long-awaited senior spinoff will make its debut — with 72-year-old widower Gerry Turner looking for a second chance at love. Ahead of the group dates, rose ceremonies, and, you guessed it, Fantasy Suites, we spoke to “The Golden Bachelor” himself. Here’s what he had to say…

Q: What was your biggest fear going into the show and why?

Far and away, hurting the women I had begun to form a connection with. And more specifically, how I’d find the right words to explain decisions. [How would I] look the women going home in the eyes and let them know they were wonderful people — but they just weren’t right for me? It was so difficult. Every rose ceremony put a knot in my stomach. When I got down to the last [ones], I felt like I had an elephant sitting on my chest at times. I hated it. 

Q: You’re not only a father, but also a grandfather. Was there ever a time where you thought, ‘Man, I hope my grandkids don’t see that?’

If there was, they were few and far between. My grandchildren are pretty mature and my oldest daughter, Jenny, prepared them for what they might see. [Plus], they were fully invested in the process — they were in it and even helped with some of the promotions. So there’s nothing I’m too embarrassed about.

Q: What was the first date you ever went on? Were you more nervous for that one or the first on the show?

That would be my first date with [my late wife], Toni, in 1969. I was a senior in high school and she was a junior. I asked her to a dance at the YMCA, but because I had a basketball game [right before], we met there and spent the night dancing. That was the beginning of our [43-year] relationship ... even though she had always said she didn’t want to date a jock. 

When I think back to that, it was more like butterflies of excitement, not nervousness. Whereas with my first date on the show, there was a little nervousness, because I knew a portion of it was [sort of] scripted — that it wouldn’t necessarily flow organically, and I had an outline to follow, so to speak. It was very early in the process, so I hadn’t gotten used to following the outlines yet. 

Q: What two things were key to your survival this season? 

The first thing that comes to mind is the Celsius energy drink. That really saved my bacon, because there were times where it got really late, and I needed that boost to get me through the last two hours of the night. That was helpful, but I used it very sparingly. [Also] Steve Salado, my handler ... I didn’t realize while I was on the show that I would be with someone almost every minute ... [but] that guy was indispensable to me. He was a friend, a protector, a provider, and a confidant. At times when I felt a little hassled and beyond my limit, he had a very calm, settling effect. I don’t think I would’ve been able to get through things had it not been for Steve.

Q: Last but not least, how often do you think about the Roman Empire? 

Almost never. In fact, I can’t think of the last time … I do think back to very early times, like when evolution was taking place, and I’m constantly asking myself questions about it: How did we get from one entity to the next? How did that all happen? I hope one day I’ll have a million-year retrospective of knowing what happened back then, how man was created, and so forth. But, yeah, not the Roman Empire.