FRIENDS AGAIN? American Pickers star Frank Fritz’s current relationship with ex-best friend Mike Wolfe revealed after nasty public feud

AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz’s current relationship with his former best friend and co-star Mike Wolfe has been revealed after their nasty public feud.

Mike, 59, and Frank, 59, appeared on American Pickers from 2010 up until the fan-favorite’s final episode in March 2020.

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Mike and Frank are friends again after their Memorial Day Weekend reunion

The longtime friends recently reunited over Memorial Day Weekend for the first time in years after a shocking feud, as The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal the status of their relationship today.

A source close to Frank, who continues to recover from a stroke he suffered in July 2022, told The U.S. Sun: “Everything between them is fine. They’ve known each other for 40 years. They went to high school, they’ve done all this stuff together. They’re very good friends, great friends.

The insider said Mike has visited Frank a “handful of times” since he suffered the stroke, as the two “call and text” today as well.

Frank is even closer to Mike’s brother Robbie than he is Mike, the source claimed, despite him replacing the fan-favorite on the show.

The friend continued: “Frank had a stroke so now he has to do what he has to do. And Mike and Robbie and the show do what they have to do.

“All that aside, they’re just buddies and the conversation is what it always was. Those guys are crazy about picking and finding stuff, so that’s the conversation.”

FRANK’S FIRING
The last time Frank appeared on American Pickers was during a March 2020 episode.

He left the show to recover from back surgery, leaving him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.

During his break from the show, Frank lost 65 pounds and entered rehab for alcohol addiction in Iowa for 77 days.

Frank revealed his feud with co-star Mike during the 2021 interview with The U.S. Sun.

Frank said: “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. 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 is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much.

“That’s fine. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the frontman.

“I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem.”

He also admitted: “I think Mike wants to get his brother Robbie in there to replace me. I don’t know why he’s behaving like that towards me.”

Mike shortly after the interview announced Frank’s firing over Instagram in July 2021, as he captioned a photo of the friends: “I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me. The journey that Frank, Dani and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding.

“The support that you all have given us has been a constant reminder of what the show’s message has always been; thru these places, people, and things we all have a common thread. We’re here to not only take care of the past, but also each other.”

Mike concluded: “I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”

Frank suffered a stroke in July 2022, and was placed under conservatorship and guardianship the following month.

FRIENDS AGAIN
A friend told The Quad-City Times Frank and Mike mended their relationship during a tearful reunion over Memorial Day Weekend.

The insider said: “This was not a feud between Mike and Frank at all. They were not feuding. They needed separation to appreciate each other.”

The friend revealed their relationship became tense after 11 seasons of working 10-hour days, seven days a week on the reality TV show.

The source told the newspaper that the long-awaited reunion left the men emotional.

The friend said: “Both were crying. Mike brought up how nervous they both were to be going on David Letterman, which was one of their first big appearances.”

Mike told his longtime co-star: “Nobody can replace you, Frank.”

The arrangements were made after Frank told the friend: “I need to talk to Mike. ”

The insider ended: “Mike really stressed all the good times they had before the show and during the show.

“Mike did say he’d like Frank back on the show, but Frank is focused on his health.”

FRANK’S NEW LIFE
Today, Frank lives in his Iowa home and continues outpatient treatment.

The pal told The U.S. Sun: “Frank continues to improve daily. You’re never 100 percent after a stroke, but he’s fine. He’s aware of what’s going on.

“If he were sitting here right now, you could sit and talk to him. He’s the same old Frank.”

The friend shared: “He can walk, but he’s always going to need the wheelchair because he can’t walk long distances.

“Basically, you lose motion. He lost motion. A stroke can affect your left or your right side, it affected his right side.”

The insider said Frank continues to go to outpatient therapy weekly for a few hours.

Frank is a private person and “enjoys being totally out of the limelight.”

The source continued: “He’s had a stroke, but he’s definitely not debilitated to the point where he can’t do anything or do whatever he wants. He doesn’t have any problems with that. It’s just a change of lifestyle and it slowed him down.