Rachel Lindsay ‘wasn’t expecting’ Chris Harrison to leave ‘The Bachelor’ amid controversy

Chris Harrison’s departure from “The Bachelor” amid controversy wasn’t something TV host Rachel Lindsay anticipated.

Harrison had stepped away from his hosting gig on the reality show indefinitely following an “Extra” interview with Lindsay in February, during which he appeared to question the public criticisms of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who was pictured at a plantation-themed college party in 2018.

He officially parted ways with the “Bachelor” franchise on Tuesday.

“I wasn’t expecting for it to happen, not after the announcement,” Lindsay said Tuesday on “Extra,” according to People.

”I think several past contestants coming forward and saying they didn’t want him to be part of [’Bachelor in] Paradise.’ I think Katie Thurston, her very last tweet before she went to film her season was that Chris needed to step away. I think that, coupled with the interview that happened on this very stage, maybe led to him not coming back.”

Harrison had been the host of “The Bachelor” since 2002.

He drew backlash following his interview with Lindsay in February, when he repeatedly referred to the “woke police.”

“Well, Rachel, is it a good look in 2018 or is it not a good look in 2021? Because there’s a big difference,” Harrison said to Lindsay, who was the first Black “Bachelorette.”

Harrison later apologized.

“I am an imperfect man, I made a mistake and I own that,” Harrison said on “Good Morning America” in March. “I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to the progress, not just for myself, also for the franchise.”