Wheeler Dealers star returns to screens with brand new show after quitting beloved motoring series
A WHEELER Dealers star is returning to screens with a brand new show after quitting the motoring series.
Ant Anstead hosted the Discovery format alongside show stalwart Mike Brewer.
He replaced Edd China who left Wheeler Dealers under dark clouds after 14 years.
But petrol head Ant – who is dating Bridget Jones’ Renée Zellweger – quit the show in 2020 after production moved from the US back to the UK.
Now the 45-year-old returns to screens with his brand new show Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic.
Starting on October 24, it will see the TV hunk renovate a 500-year-old farmhouse that he’s just bought for his parents to retire in.
To fund the expensive project, the dad-of-three will restore classic cars before selling them on for a tidy profit.
His new show will also feature his family for the very first time – something which Ant is apprehensive about.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, he said: “In 26 shows this is the first time I’ve exposed my family and of course I’m nervous about it.
“I’ve got through the peeks and troughs of being on TV, having a real miniscule amount of profile and realising there’s some really harmful parts of that.
“We’re in an age where people can be incredibly mean, but I’d like to think my family’s equipt for that.
“My parents have nothing to prove to anyone, they’ve been married for 52 years and they’ve both been in the New Years Honours List for the work they do for charity and community.”
Born Mechanic also was a chance for Ant to spend time with his brothers.
He revealed: “This is the most time I’ve spent with my brothers for 20 years.
“It’s the most we’ve ever connected, it’s the most we’ve ever spoken.
“It’s brought the family together in a way that’s so remarkable, so healing and it’s really, really brilliant.”
Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic, Thursdays from 24 October, 9pm on Quest and stream on discovery+
Wheeler Dealers presenters over the years
By Conor O’Brien, TV Reporter
Wheeler Dealers has been on-screen since 2003, but its on-air team has changed multiple times.
Here is a look at the motoring show’s different presenters from over the years.
- Mike Brewer: (Series 1 – present): Car trader turned presenter Mike has been part of Wheeler Days from its beginning. He remains active in the car industry, through Mike Brewer Motors.
- Edd China (Series 1 to Series 13): Edd was the show’s original mechanic, who’s also appeared on shows including Top Gear. He left Wheeler Dealers in 2017, after 13 series as co-host.
- Ant Anstead: (Series 14 to Series 16): After Edd’s departure, Ant signed up as Wheeler Dealers’ new co-host. Ant’s arrival came at a time when the show was being filmed in the United States. He ultimately left when it was decided for the programme to return to the UK.
- Marc “Elvis” Priestley: (Series 17 – present): The show’s current mechanic is Marc Priestley, nicknamed “Elvis”. Before his current gig on Wheeler Dealers, Marc worked for McLaren Racing as a Formula One mechanic and member of the pitstop crew from 2000-2009.