FRANK Fritz slammed his "arrogant" former co-host Mike Wolfe in his last interview before he had a stroke.

The American Pickers star, 56, suffered a stroke this week and remains in hospital.

Mike, who appeared on History Channel show with Frank for years, hinted that their feud was over as he asked fans to send their prayers for his friend's recovery.

However, Frank branded Mike "arrogant" in an exclusive interview with The Sun last year.

He said in July 2021: “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.”

While Frank refused to reveal the exact cause of the falling out, he claimed there was tension over their shared American Pickers stardom. 

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He explained: "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 front man. 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.”

But Frank insisted he is “bigger” when it comes to viewers. 

The fan-favorite said: “I’m not arrogant and I’m more of a regular ol’ guy. The guy that connects with me is the guy who buys a 30 pack of Busch Light and a pizza on the weekend. That’s my guy. My guy buys a $150 sign, not an $8,000 sign. 

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Mike, 58, shared a lengthy statement about Frank's health crisis on Instagram on Thursday.

He wrote: “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. 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."

Mike concluded: "Frank, I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you, buddy."

SHOW SHAKEUP

The shocking news of Frank's stroke comes after he was fired from his role on American Pickers.

He last appeared on the show during a March 2020 episode, before he took time off to recover from a grueling back surgery that left him with 185 stitches and two rods in his spine.

Mike was the one who publicly revealed that Frank had been booted from the show in July 2021.

Since Frank was let go, The Sun has revealed that the show's ratings have plummeted to under one million viewers for the first time in years.

Viewers have claimed that it is "unwatchable" without Indiana native Frank.

HEALTH HISTORY

In an effort to turn his life around, Frank recently lost 65 pounds and he was believed to be living a healthier lifestyle and avoiding alcohol.

He told The Sun last year that he checked into rehab for alcohol abuse for 77 days.

It came after his nasty split from longtime girlfriend turned ex-fiancee Diann Bankson.

Frank said of their breakup: “I tried to drink her away. I never drank that much before."

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The vintage enthusiast also suffers from Crohn's disease, which he has been battling for over 30 years.

Besides his health issues, Frank had been working on his own Illinois antique shop since he was let go by The History Channel.

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