Discovery has announced today that longtime co-host and orange-glove extraordinaire Edd China will be departing Wheeler Dealers after 13 seasons on the show. Despite the move, the show has been renewed for season 14, with former “For The Love of Cars” host Ant Anstead taking over spanner-spinning duties.
In a video posted on his YouTube channel (above), China reveals that he decided to leave Wheeler Dealers because Velocity plans to reduce the ‘workshop’ aspect of the show in the upcoming season.
“The detailed and in depth coverage of my fixes in the workshop; what I consider to be the backbone and USP of the programme, are something Velocity feel should be reduced,” China says. “The workshop jobs are certainly the hardest part of the show to make and reducing their substance and role in the show will save the production considerable time, effort and therefore money. However, this new direction is not something I am comfortable with as I feel the corners I was being asked to cut compromised the quality of my work and would erode my integrity as well as that of the show, so I have come to the conclusion that my only option is to let Velocity get on with it, without me.”
China’s decision to leave Wheeler Dealers came as a shock to co-host Mike Brewer. Speaking to the Press Association, Brewer said: “I’m obviously upset and gutted that Edd’s decided to leave the programme because we’ve got a very strong relationship and a close bond after 13 years and 135 cars.”
“I respect his decision – Edd wants to move on to other things and I completely get that – but obviously he’s been a part of my life and has been forever so it’s a bit of a shock that he’s decided to leave the show.”
– Mike Brewer
Discovery executive vice president Robert Scanlon thanked China for his years of dedication to the show. “While we’ll miss his signature orange gloves, we know that anything they touch will turn to automotive gold,” Scanlon said. “We’re committed to making Wheeler Dealers the best automotive series on TV, and feel Ant Anstead brings the in-depth knowledge our viewers crave and a unique style our viewers will love. He, Mike Brewer and the production team are laser focused on delivering the best car projects and best episodes possible.”
Anstead, a car builder and designer, has paid tribute to Wheeler Dealers and to the man whose big boots he’ll be filling. “As the first, original format for fans interested in fixing cars, it’s fair to say most TV motoring shows trace their heritage back to Wheeler Dealers,” he said. “I grew up watching and learning from Edd and Mike, and in recent years have come to know both as close personal friends. It is with Edd’s blessing that I join the team for this new and exciting challenge. I hope he and viewers enjoy what I bring to the show and recognize that for me it’s always been about the love of cars.”
Anstead is currently the world record holder for selling vehicles for the highest price in the World at auctions, and has been building custom-made cars ever since he was a kid. In addition to his role on Wheeler Dealers, he’ll also be hosting a new 10-part Channel 4 series “World’s Most Expensive Cars”, and is often seen hosting the live stages of some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious car shows.
Wheeler Dealers season 14 is set to debut on Velocity in the US, Discovery in the UK and internationally towards the end of this year.
16 comments
I am gutted that Ed is leaving I love the show fantastic mechanic he will be sadly missed I can’t believe they let him go their loss as the did with Jeremy clarkeson &top gear two best shows on tv best wishes ed ,
I agree with most the part of the show I loved was the garage bit. I learned from EDDs bantering, he knew his stuff. I always found it amusing when Mike would step up and try to do some wrench turning or cleaning of bits. I say amusing ,but educational too. So far Ant has done a good job, I enjoy his explanation of what he is doing. The why, how, what s for. I have learned more about turbo charging from Edd and Ant. I also learned so info about CV2Dolly from Mike and extra stuff about metal plating from Mike as well I really don’t care why Edd left, he wanted to leave, so he did. They replaced him with a Bloke that Knows his way around a motor and can teach it as well that isnot always easy. I had a job hireing trainers to teach certain job skills to a unique group. The 1st thing was can the do with there hand and teach that with there mouth. Most couldn’t inspit of a 4year collage dgree. It was a slect few I hired that could, Edd and Ant are those people, Do and teach at the same time. It is still a good show. I’ll still listen to Mike, he teaches about some cars I’ve never or rarely hear about. His history lessons are valuable .
Losing Edd China is a very bad thing. With the addition of Ant with Mike Brewer, we now have two annoying men instead of only one. Bummer!
I must have been under a rock because I just found out Edward is leaving. I enjoyed his mechanical genius so much and learned quite a bit from him that I have been able to use in my own weekend warrior mechanics.
I’m shocked. And absolutely disappointed the way it’s gone. I’m an avid fan of Edd and think he’s a total Mechanical genius. They’ve lost a viewer for sure. I realised it was going this way in the latest series when they’re showing less “fixing” and more “showing off”. They’re “Americanising” the show and will loose plenty of fans along with me. I’ll be watching my DVD series 1-12 for my “Edd time”.
I miss you already. All the best for the future, make sure it’s not the last we’ve seen of you.
Fly like an eagle now you’ve left the turkeys behind.
Ed in the shop was the show! Mike is okay getting the car but watching Ed was why I watched! Sorry that Velocity is nothing but a bunch of dumb asses out for the money not content.
Money talks and talent walked. If it’s not broken it doesn’t need fixing. Another show gone. Wonder how profitable those budget cuts will be when viewers leave. Dallas
What a shame. This was one of my favorite shows on tv and has become the only one I watch on Velocity. I used to watch Velocity a lot. I’ll give Mike and Ant Man a couple watches but it will have to be something worth watching. Without a doubt E. C. was the real star of the show. Again……what a shame. I look forward to Edd getting a new show that works well for him.
Velocity pays these guys very little. They paid for one show, and nothing more. The producers make tons. Now there will be very little reason to watch velocity. Look what happened to BBC after they messed with top gear. Most of the other car shows are boring. I would rather watch re-runs of Star Trek.
I’ve been watching WD since it’s inception but the reason I watched it and it starts with the very first episode (which has changed since then) and when they started the second part of the show Edd Chyna in the garage and working on them I was hooked…I’ve been a auto and truck mechanic for nearly 30 years and it was the way Edd talked thru his portion of the show and for each thing he does is part of the best I’ve seen…I like Mike but Edd is the reason I kept watched…it didn’t matter if I missed the first part about getting the car but it was the garage and how he made it like new again…it’ll be sad to see him go but as of the next episode I’ll not be watching any longer…guess I’ll revert to the older shows…I’m sure Ant is a very good mechanic but pulling the garage parts (reducing parts of the garage part) and slicing parts of Edd’s side in the garage I’ll pass…thanks for the 13 years with Edd and his ability to walk us thru The whole getting it running part..and as sharp as never in its life had been….
Lets see what happen in season 14.
Another great show gone to fuck because someone in charge is a dumbass. Plain and simple. Mike should of jumped shop also
Well, I guess it wasn’t that plain and simple, was it? Always wait for the facts before you swear at the world
New episodes were worse anyway, like they tried to do too much television and too little of cars.
It wasn’t that fun too watch, so my interest in show gradualy went to none.
They got rid off biggest star of program, Paul, so lack of China doesn’t hit that much.
Ant is great mechanic (For a love of cars is perfect example of his excellent work) but if is true that they will reduce workshop segment that’s mean that we lose another car show 🙁
We lost Fifth Gear , we practically lost Top Gear and now WD is next 🙁
But we gained back Car SOS. And i really like the concept of the show.