WHEELERS Dealers host Mike Brewer revealed that he's "quite happy" his iconic Ford Fiesta was stolen last summer in a major U-turn.
The ultra-rare Ford Fiesta Mk1 was taken by thieves just hours after the presenters had applied the finishing touches.
At the time, Mike admitted that he was gutted and offered a £5,000 reward to anyone who could tell home where his beloved Fiesta was.
The TV host even compared the loss of his motor to "losing a child".
However, he has now revealed it could have been a blessing in disguise.
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He told the Express: "It’s stolen and we aren't going to see it, but I’m quite happy for it to be stolen.
"If anything it aided the end of the programme and it keeps the story alive."
Mike added that since the classic car was stolen, people have kept talking about the show, which is great for the programme.
The host and his colleague, Marc Priestley worked on the iconic Fiesta as part of a special tribute to the model after Ford announced they were discontinuing the range.
They bought the motor for just over £4,000 after Mike negotiated it down from £5,000 from the previous owner.
The pair spent an eye-watering £11,200 on restoring the classic car with major updates needed before it could appear on the show.
This included extensive engine repair, new water and oil pumps and updated bodywork.
However, it was stolen just hours before it was meant to be unveiled to the public.
The criminals cut through chains and took it from the trailer it was being stored, in around 25 minutes.
Despite, Mike's acceptance of the incident a year on, the theft was not written into the episode purely for drama.
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The TV star added: "And genuinely it wasn't a stunt."
It comes after Mike took a swipe at the police after he was asked whether they were any closer to finding the vehicle.
He told The Sun: "I think the police, with the greatest respect to Great Yorkshire Police, I think they're busy writing tickets for people that are driving three miles per hour too fast.
"If the car was doing 33 in a 30 [zone] they would have found it, put it that way."