American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe returns to Iowa & fans think he’s ‘VISITING’ Frank Fritz in hospital after stroke horror
AMERICAN Pickers' Mike Wolfe has returned to his hometown in Iowa fueling fan speculation the star may be visiting Frank Fritz in hospital after his terrifying stroke.
The ex-co-stars have been out of touch amid a feud since Frank was fired from the show last year, but fans are wondering if his medical emergency could bring about a reconciliation.
Mike sparked the speculation by posting a photo of his mother and his daughter on Instagram.
The two held each other in their arms and looked out on a scenic lake.
The 58-year-old captioned the post: "The two most important ladies in my life. Mama Wolfe and Baby Wolfe seeing them together brings tears of joy to my eyes.
"Everything else fades away and my world feels complete."
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However, being with his family made fans believe the star was back in Iowa with Frank fighting for his life nearby.
Mike also posted photos of his small Iowa hometown on his Instagram Stories.
He captioned one photo: "Main Street on the Mississippi."
The Sun exclusively revealed that a harrowing emergency call was placed over a week ago to Frank's Iowa home by a friend of the former American Pickers star.
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"Okay tell me exactly what happened," the dispatcher asked Frank's friend who appeared to have gone to the star's home to check on him.
"I just showed up at my friend's house here and he was sprawled out on his floor. He can't speak to me. He might be seizuring (sic) I'm not sure."
"Okay, stay on the phone, don't hang up," the dispatcher responded.
The call to the 56-year-old's home was placed on July 14th just before 11am.
The 911 call log noted that his friend had gone to check on Frank, and that's when he found him sprawled out on the floor and unable to speak.
PRAYERS FOR FRANK
Previously, Frank's former co-star Mike asked fans of American Pickers to pray for Frank.
Mike 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."
SHOW SHAKEUP
The shocking news of Frank's stroke comes one year after he was fired from his role on American Pickers.
He 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.
Mike was the one who publicly revealed that Frank had been booted from the show in July 2021.
Although they were childhood friends, 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.
"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.
Viewers have claimed that it is "unwatchable" without Indiana native Frank.
LAST WISH
Frank spoke to The Sun in July 2021, shortly after the news broke about 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.”
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.
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"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 Mike for his firing, as the pair's relationship has suffered since he left for surgery in March 2020.
