EDD CHINA: WHY I LEFT WHEELER DEALERS
Production company and ex-host in tit for tat battle about show’s format
‘I feel the corners I was being asked to cut compromised the quality of my work’ EDD CHINA
After sensationally quitting
Wheeler Dealers, Edd China has revealed his reasons for leaving, while programme maker Velocity has insisted that ‘there are no plans to alter the format’ of the show.
As revealed in last week’s issue of Classic Car Weekly, Edd will be replaced by For The Love of Cars
presenter and restorer Ant Anstead. After CCW went to press, China released a statement online clearly laying out his side of the story. He says: ‘Unfortunately, on Velocity’s first attempt at producing the show they found Wheeler Dealers “too difficult to make, at least in its current format.”
‘In particular, the detailed and in-depth coverage of my fixes in the workshop – what I consider to be the backbone and USP (unique selling point) of the programme – are something Velocity feel should be reduced.
‘The workshop jobs are certainly the hardest part of the show to make and reducing their substance and role in the show will save the production considerable time, effort and therefore money.
‘However, this new direction is not something I am comfortable with as I feel the corners I was being asked to cut compromised the quality of my work and would erode my integrity as well as that of the show, so I have come to the conclusion that my only option is to let Velocity get on with it, without me.’
Programme maker Velocity has fought back against China’s allegations. A spokesperson for Velocity says: ‘ Wheeler Dealers will remain the entertaining, high quality program that millions of viewers worldwide have enjoyed for 13 seasons.
‘Our investments in the franchise have never been higher; there are no plans to alter the format or make cutbacks on the series.
‘Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead will continue to take our fans “under the hood” to show detailed mechanical work while also showcasing Ant’s incredible design and fabrication.’
Antstead is currently in the process of moving to America, where the show is based.