People admire the Wheeler Dealer host, Edward John China, for his expertise in cars. Moreover, he is a motor inventor, television host, and mechanic. He used to wear the nitrile gloves in Wheeler Dealers, which had different opinions from the viewers.
We cannot neglect the importance of gloves as the mechanic might suddenly rip off his fingers while working. Keen observers loved him for his cleanliness during his tenure in the series because his work includes the use of grease.
People also had different opinions over his decision to leave the show. Some appreciated his professionalism, while some thought he prioritized his professional pride over the show. However, we cannot deny that his fans miss him.
Why did Edd China leave Wheeler Dealers?
Edd China left Wheeler Dealers over disappointment regarding the new direction method, according to his announcement on his YouTube channel on 21 March 2017. Soon, the Discovery Channel announced his departure too.
According to Edd, Velocity wanted to reduce the workshop-related part in the upcoming season to save their efforts, time, and money. On the other hand, he considered the detailed workshop part and his fixes as the pillars of the show.
Edd took it on his integrity and quality of work. According to Edd’s co-host, Mike Brewer, Discovery Channel put leaving the show as an option before him, and he agreed. However, he knew Edd was busy with another show on his YouTube. Thus, he was excited to see him on that platform.
On the other hand, Mike Brewer claimed that none suggested the reduction of mechanical content in the upcoming season. Discovery Channel will not reduce the mechanical part, and Mike does not know why Edd made the contradictory allegations.
Mike respected Edd’s decision but was saddened by his departure because they had a bond of thirteen years and 135 cars. Meanwhile, Edd described how Mike Brewer and his family got death threats and online abuse over his departure from the show.
After Edd China Left Wheeler Dealers
Mike Brewer and the production team were responsible for hunting for a suitable mechanic matching Edd’s skills, knowledge, and on-screen experience. Thus, Ant Anstead replaced Edd China on Wheeler Dealers in 2017.
Anthony Richard Anstead is a car artist who designs and builds cars. Apart from that, he is an English television personality and a motor specialist. Before entering Wheeler Dealers in the fourteenth season, he hosted ‘For The Love Of Cars’ with Philip Glenister on Channel 4.
Ant became a Police Constable in 1999 with proven acts of bravery. However, he resigned in 2005 and became a world-class mechanic. He also played football for fifteen years.
Ant Anstead produced a television show, ‘World’s Most Expensive Cars,’ in 2014. After that, he hosted several television shows like Building Cars Live (2015), Ant Anstead Master Mechanic (2019), World’s Greatest Cars, and Master Mechanic.
Ant hosted Wheeler Dealers from the fourteenth to sixteenth season (from 2017 to 2021). Marc Priestley replaced him in the seventeenth season (2021). Marc still continues to host the show.
How People Reacted To Edd China’s Departure
Robert Scanlon, the EVP and General Manager of Velocity and Automotive Content, thanked Edd China for being in the show. Ant Anstead, Edd’s substitute, possesses uniqueness and in-depth knowledge. Meanwhile, Robert assured that the production team and Mike Brewer were working on not letting the show down.
However, Edd’s colleagues and fans will miss his signature orange gloves and his level of expertise. New viewers find the Mike and Edd’s duo like chalk and cheese. However, Ant established his own persona and did not let Mike dominate him, which Edd could not do.
Ant and Mike look like brothers. Some fans think Mike wanted to steal the limelight and dominate Edd, who worked more than Mike. However, this is not the case with Ant. All human beings are different. So are Edd and Ant, but both are knowledgeable.
Marc “Elvis” Priestley is not similar to the first two hosts, Edd and Ant, but is dedicated to the show. Many viewers compare Mike Brewer to a salesman who could only make car deals but never did it properly. They could see Edd in an individual appearance only for 3/4th of the screen time, and the remaining time was consumed by Mike or the duo (Mike and Edd).
