As ‘Bachelor’ fans know … Colton’s virginity became a hot topic when he appeared on Becca Kufrin’s season of “The Bachelorette” in 2018. Of course, this storyline continued when he became the ‘Bachelor’ for Season 23 … but there was a lot more drama than that.

Colton notoriously jumped a gate during filming in the middle of his season and threatened to leave the show, but ultimately decided to return. He wound up choosing Cassie Randolph, though the 2 never got engaged and — as we reported — had a very messy breakup.

In his GMA interview, Colton said he was sorry for how things ended with Cassie, and that he truly loved everything about her, which made things more difficult. He says he remembers thanking God once he was picked as ‘The Bachelor’ because he believed his prayers to be straight had been answered.

Also worth noting — Colton stated in his March 2020 memoir, “The First Time,” his time on “The Bachelor” actually helped him realize he WASN’T gay. He said he questioned his sexuality in his early 20s … the result of being bullied growing up. The bullies said he was gay, and he says he believed it.