THE BACHELOR EXIT WAS TOXIC, GRATEFUL I LEFT!!

Chris Harrison has blasted the events surrounding his exit from The Bachelor as toxic ... which kickstarted following a racism scandal.

He says the backlash he endured after defending ex-Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell for attending a plantation-themed party while in college was tumultuous ... praying his worst enemy doesnt go through the same experience he went through 2 years earlier.

Speaking on Jason Tarticks "Trading Secrets" podcast, Chris says he initially thought the situation was something he couldve figured out with show execs ... but things escalated to the point he knew he had to remove himself from the situation.

It was a bittersweet moment for Chris ... he wasnt ready to leave the show hed been hosting since 2002 ... but he was ultimately proud of his decision to walk away.

He adds theres no hard feelings because the show was a blessing  ... changing his life financially.

Jesse Palmer ended up taking over hosting duties -- and as for Chris, he found his own happy ending ... tying the knot with ET host Lauren Zima in November.