American Pickers star Frank Fritz, aged 56, suffered a stroke and remains in the hospital, his former co-star Mike Wolfe said.

In a lengthy statement on Instagram, Wolfe shared the news asking fans to pray for his recovery.

“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,” he wrote.

“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.”

Also Read | What is Intracranial Aneurysm? Know early symptoms, survival rate

Wolfe concluded: “Frank, I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you, buddy.”

Fritz, who had been a part of “American Pickers” since 2010, aired had his last episode aired in March 2020. He did not return when the show resumed filming after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

In June 2021, it was revealed Fritz was leaving the show due to a number of health problems, including back surgery and Crohn’s Disease, which he has been battling for 30 years.

American Pickers debuted on History Channel over a decade ago. It followed followed Fritz, Wolfe, and their co-worker Danielle Colby-Cushman, who ran an antique store in Iowa. The team traveled across the country restoring beat-up antiques and other collectibles. He is also the founder of Antique Archeology alongside Wolfe.

Wolfe and Fritz were childhood friends, but the latter exclusively revealed to The Sun that Wolfe has not reached out to him since he was fired from the show.

Also Read | What’s next for Carlos Santana after passing out on stage

“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.”

The show’s ratings plummeted to under one million viewers for the first time in years after Fritz’s exit.