AMERICAN IDOL judge PAULA ABDUL's ex-boyfriend is already looking for love again - he is lined up to appear on hit U.S. TV dating show THE BACHELOR.

Restaurateur J.T. Torregiani began dating Abdul last July (07) but the couple split last month (Jun08).

A source reveals Torregiani was asked to take part in The Bachelor a couple of years ago, but he fell for Abdul and had to decline the offer.

The insider insists the restaurateur is keen to find love because "he wants to settle down, have kids and a family".