Gerry Turner Gives His Honest Opinion About New Golden Bachelor Mel Owens’ Controversial Age Comments

Gerry Turner is offering some advice to Mel Owens.

Turner, 73, who starred on the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelor, responded to Owens, the 66-year-old lead for the reality dating show’s forthcoming second season, recently saying he would cut any female contestant over the age of 60.

“I think it would be unfortunate, and I really think he will have a change of heart in this,” Turner told Fox News Digital. “I think he will see the grace and charm of women who are over 60 and the confidence they carry, and I think he’ll have a change of heart.”

Turner then gave some guidance for Owens, from one Golden Bachelor to another.

Reflecting on the contestants from his own Golden Bachelor season in 2023, Turner called them “all a gift” and said they each brought their own “unique characteristics to the show.”

“The age thing… ignore the number, deal with the person,” he said.

Turner added that if Owens “treats each and every one of them with courtesy and respect and is a good listener” who “pays attention to them and so forth,” he thinks “it’ll be fine.”

Owens made waves when he voiced his “preferences” for his future wife.

During an appearance on the June 4 episode of MGoBlue Podcasts with Jon Jansen, the retired NFL player-turned-lawyer said he preferred women aged 45 to 60.

“I said, ‘You know, if they’re 60 or over, I’m cutting them,” he recalled of his conversation with a producer, who allegedly assured him the women are “going to be hot” and to not “worry about it.”

Owens also shared that he hopes the women are “fit because I’m staying in shape and work out and stuff,” also noting that he wants to “stay away from the artificial hips and the wigs, you know, that kind of stuff.”

He went on to say he wants his potential partner to be a “lifetime learner,” who likes to “work out, stay fit, eat, have fun, be energetic and love life.”

ABC announced Owens as the new Golden Bachelor when the show returns this fall on April 22.

In a press release announcing him as the show’s new leading man, the network noted that Owens was married for 25 years and has two sons.

Per the network, Owens is hoping to rediscover a love “rooted in the simple joys of companionship — sharing life’s everyday moments, making plans for the future and growing stronger together as a couple.”

Owens is seeking to “finally find that perfect teammate he’s been waiting for in his golden years.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Golden Bachelor is set to return this fall on ABC.