American Pickers star Frank Fritz has suffered a stroke and remains in hospital.
His former co-star Mike Wolfe has asked fans for their prayers, he reported The sun.
Wolfe, 58, made a lengthy statement on Instagram to share the sad news about her estranged friend Fritz, 56.
He began: “I’ve been very private over the last year about Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on. There have been a lot of opinions about me and Frank’s friendship and show, but now is not the time to make things clear.
“Now is the time to pray for my friend. Frank has had a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts.”
Wolfe concluded, “Frank, I pray more than anything that you have a good time. I love you, my friend.”
The shocking news of Fritz’s stroke comes a year after he was fired from his role American selectors.
He last appeared on the show during a March 2020 episode, before taking time off to recover from grueling back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine .
Wolfe was the one to publicly reveal that Fritz had been fired from the show in July 2021.
Although they were childhood friends, Fritz exclusively revealed The sun that Wolfe has not contacted him since he was fired from the show.
“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” he said.
“He knew my back was bad, but he didn’t call me and ask how I was doing. That’s how it is.”
Since Fritz was let go, The sun has revealed that the show’s ratings have fallen below one million viewers for the first time in years.
Viewers have claimed it’s “unseen” without Indiana native Fritz.
In an effort to turn his life around, Fritz recently lost 29 kilos and was believed to be leading a healthier lifestyle and avoiding alcohol.
he said The sun last year he checked into an alcohol abuse rehabilitation center for 77 days.
It came after his split with longtime girlfriend turned ex-girlfriend Diann Bankson.
Fritz said of their breakup: “I tried to drink her out. I’ve never drank so much before.”
The vintage enthusiast also suffers from Crohn’s disease, with which he has been battling for more than 30 years.
In addition to his health problems, Fritz had been working at his own antique store in Illinois since being let go by The History Channel.
This article was originally published in The Sun and is reproduced here with permission