He jetted off to America to follow his dream of becoming a top football goalkeeping coach.

But former Bradford footballer Simon Ambrose, 26, could end up netting himself a bride when he joins some of the country’s most eligible bachelors in a prime-time US reality TV show.

The Bachelorette, follows “intelligent, independent and passionate” Jillian Harris, 29, in her search for love.

She has to go on a series of dates with the male contestants on the show, which will be aired on the ABC network, home of hits such as Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty and Lost.

Former Idle CE Primary School pupil Simon, who now works as a football coach in Baltimore, could be whisking Jillian off to California, Hawaii, Canada or Spain, as the competition – as well as the romance – hots up.

Simon, a graduate who previously played for Nab Wood Juniors and Sandy Lane FC and had trials for Bradford City, will have to impress not only his lady but the rest of the contestants – they will vote out their least favourite rival at the end of each episode.

His proud mum Carol Johnston, a former head teacher, said: “Simon made it through a rigorous selection process and was invited to go on The Bachelorette, which is really high-profile over there.

“He’s a little bit apprehensive about what kind of feedback he’s going to get.

“Where he lives in Baltimore, they have a big-screen TV in a bar nearby, so they are all going to watch it. They might make a bit of fun of him!”

Filming has already been completed and Carol was keeping tight-lipped about her son’s chances.

But mum-of-two Carol, of Baildon, added: “He’s a hard-working and clean-living lad and I know I’m biased but he’s good looking. It is great to see a lad from Bradford to be on national TV where he will be watched by millions.”

Simon, whose dad Malcolm Ambrose is a retired police officer who lives in Thackley, went to the US about three years ago. He had worked for the Baltimore-based Challenger Sports company during summer camps and was asked to return when he finished studying at Nottingham Trent University.

The Bachelorette starts on ABC today.