FRANK Fritz has suffered a stroke just one year after revealing he was desperate to return to the cast of American Pickers.
The reality star was fired from the show, leaving fans distressed about the reason behind his absence.
Frank, 56, spoke to The Sun in July of 2021, shortly after the news broke of his release from the series, claiming that he was eager to return to the cast.
He said at the time: “I would like to come back to the show. I was doing it for 11 years. I’m 100 percent recovered now and I’m ready to roll and go back on the show.”
But Frank claimed the network wouldn't give him a straight answer about returning, as he continued: “They talk out of both sides of their mouth. It would be like me telling you I want to go back on the show and then tomorrow going, ‘I never said that, I never said anything about that.'
“The showrunner called me on my birthday on October 11 of last year and he said ‘I’ll call you back tomorrow,’ but I haven’t heard from those people at all. They don’t contact me.”
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Frank insisted he “didn’t leave the show,” as he underwent back surgery and then the pandemic hit.
The collector added: “I don’t know if they can do it cheaper without having me on there or what the situation is.
"I want to go back on the show, but it depends on the network. It ain’t gonna affect me one bit, but I would like to be back for my fans.”
Many fans have blamed Frank's long-time co-star Mike Wolfe for his firing, as the pair's relationship has suffered since he left for surgery in March of 2020.
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DEVASTATING NEWS
On Thursday, the news broke that Frank had suffered a stroke, and he still remains in the hospital.
Mike, 58, made a lengthy statement on Instagram to share the sad news about his estranged friend.
He began: “I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank's life and the journey he’s been on. There have been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.
"Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts."
Mike concluded: "Frank, I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you, buddy."
Frank last appeared on the show during a March 2020 episode, before he took time off to recover from a grueling back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.
FRIENDSHIP LOST
Then, Mike was the one who publicly revealed that his friend had been booted from the show in July of 2021.
Although they were childhood buddies, Frank exclusively revealed to The Sun that Mike has not reached out to him since he was fired from the show.
“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years," he said.
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"He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is."
Since Frank was let go, The Sun has revealed that the show's ratings have plummeted to under one million viewers for the first time in years.
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