Wheeler Dealers TV star Marc Priestley has opened up on his fear of joining the show in the wake of controversy surrounding Edd China’s exit. Marc joined the iconic classic car restoration series in 2021, replacing Ant Anstead, who had co-presented the show with Mike Brewer immediately after Edd’s departure.
However, Edd’s departure in 2017 is still frequently discussed by fans, with many still baffled as to why a 13-year on-screen duo parted ways. As Marc took the reins at Wheeler Dealers, he admits the “controversy” around Edd China’s exit was still very much a talking point.
Speaking to the Road to Success podcast, Marc said: “I wasn’t terrified in terms of my ability to hold a camera and hold an audience but filling the big shoes absolutely. Wheeler Dealers was a different ball game altogether because of its legacy and how long its been running and how many people watch it.
“Of course, there has been some controversy over the years with Edd leaving and all of those moments, I know all of those stories, I know all about it. I also see on Mike’s social media. How cruel people can be.”
Edd has previously explained that he walked away from the show mostly due to creative differences with production chiefs. He has previously claimed producers were keen to reduce many of his detailed, in-depth workshop segments.
However, Mike has previously admitted that the duo haven’t spoken since, with Mr Brewer even suggesting the pair had “disagreed” over the direction of the show.
When asked if the thought of social media reaction had “freaked him out”, Marc admitted it was something he had in the back of his mind before putting pen to paper on fronting the show.
He added: “It was a conscious thought when I was thinking of taking the decision to join. Mile called me and asked me and I thought it took a day or so to think about it. That was one of the sort of internal conversations I had, do I want to put myself through this.”
Wheeler Dealers’ latest World Tour series has just concluded with ten episodes that took the pair all around the globe. The two presenters fixed everything from a Naja nig in Mexico to a Fiat Bacchetta in Italy and even a Hillman Imp in Scotland.