Edd China Is Leaving Wheeler Dealers, Says New Producers Want To Dumb It Down

After 13 years as one of our favourite TV mechanics, Edd China has put his foot down over a decision by new producers to make his workshop sequences shorter and simpler

Matt Kimberley

Updated: 10 Oct 2024

Edd China, the mechanical genius Wheeler Dealers‘ beloved mechanic, is leaving the show after 13 years because its new producers apparently want to dumb it down. Replacing him alongside Mike Brewer will be Ant Anstead, who we also like, and who could be a better fit for the changing format.

Lovable mechanic Edd’s workshop sequences are famous for their detail, technical accuracy and genuinely enjoyable watchability, but because they’re time-consuming and therefore expensive to film, the new production company, Velocity, wants to cut them down and simplify them.

Edd released a statement via YouTube in the clip at the top. He claims the producers found it ‘too difficult to make’ in its current format, but isn’t willing to stand for the dumbing-down that Velocity wants to introduce.

As part of his decision to quit, he said:

“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 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.”

We have huge respect for Edd’s decision, and we know many of you will as well. He has too much respect for his own work to let this slide, and we don’t blame him one bit. We’re looking forward to whatever he does next.

Comments

Maybe there just not seeing eye to eye, oh wait, they aren’t. (Hight joke)

Oh and also good choice ed completely agree man.

And there goes another one…

How do you make a show about restoring a car without showing the actual restoration? and after 13 years its suddenly too difficult? Logic is dead.

Re-read the whole article again and again until you understand it.

The original producers of the show (attaboy) were bought out by velocity who want to dumb it down

Why have you got so many upvotes? Read the article again - it’s the new producers who want to dumb it down and say that its too hard, not the guys who worked on it for years.

I’d quit just having to work with Mike 😂

The basis of my career as an amateur mechanic rests on Ed China’s shoulders. He demystified wrenching for me and I’m sure countless others, and I hope he can continue to do so on another platform. Wheeler Dealers will be rubbish without the technical processes being detailed.

EXACTLY. My life career decision to be a mechanic was entirely based on my admiration of Edd’s skills. I always watched WD so I can see how he worked his magic in the hope that some of it would rub off on me.

Without him and the “dumbing down” of WD, now its pointless to watch it.

That’s what makes the show enjoyable. There are a million car restoration shows but wheeler dealers is great because of the technical process they show of restoring the cars.

The last series (13 was it?) is totally lost its vibe compared to the earlier one. They almost show 0 of the process. That alone, made it unbearable.

Why is Velocity messing with 13 seasons of success? I’ll give it a chance but I don’t think it’s going to work.

Because American companies only car about the bottom line. Have you heard the two cow joke?
‘an American corporation: you have two cows, you kill one and force the other to produce the milk of 4 cows. You later hire a consultant to find out why the cow has died’

Please let him start his own show “Ed’s Garage” or something, which has even more mechanic related content. The best thing about the current Wheeler Dealers is Ed’s “Top tips”!

13 years? I feel old now

I respect Edd’s decision.
Hope he comes back with an Internet series of some short.
Wheeler Dealers was much better than all the other build shows because of its simplicity. Even if I like Counting Cars on History TV, it is never detailed as the great Wheeler Dealers.
Another car shows bites the dust…