Bachelorcreator Mike Fleiss is leaving the franchise

The man behind The Bachelor and its multiple spin-offs is stepping down after 21 years.

TheBachelorfranchise is losing its mastermind.

Mike Fleiss, who createdThe Bachelor21 years ago last month, is leaving the long-runningABCfranchise, EW has confirmed.

I wish them a long and happy life together.

I want to thank WBTV and ABC for 21 extraordinary years.

Let the journey continue."

Bachelorexecutive producers Bennett Graebner, Claire Freeland, and Jason Ehrlich will now serve as showrunners for the franchise.

“I was so radioactive that no one would publicly embrace me,” he told EW in 2003.

But the producer kept at it, and in 2001 he pitched a show calledThe Bachelorto ABC.

One year later, it premiered to 10 million viewers, and a reality TV empire was born.

Season 20 ofThe Bachelorettepremieres Monday, June 26 at 9 p.m.