Wil Willis was replaced on Forged in Fire, leaving viewers curious about what happened to the former host and why the decision was made in the first place.Grady Powell became the show's new host after his sudden exit. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. For example, he has been hired as a U.S. military contractor, offering his knowledge as a martial arts instructor. He had to step down from his judging role to have surgery on his hand. He has detailed the lengthy process of becoming a military man. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Judging by his latest Instagram activities, Wil has been busy spending some much-needed downtime with Krystle and Flash Orion. #ForgedInFire #WilWillis #historychannel, still from Forged in Fire, Outpost Entertainment, YouTube. The History Channel hasnt offered a statement regarding the change of host and Wil Willis hasnt addressed his absence in the trailer either, which has led some audiences to speculate that it may simply be a temporary hiatus with Ben covering. why did ben abbott leave forged in fire. In fact, he holds the rank of Mastersmith with the American Blacksmith Society, an honor that just 100 or so people hold across the United States. But his reason for leaving may very well involve a new addition to his growing family. On his official Instagram, the television star has spoken about his experiences in the military. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Hey gang. He hosted the TV series Triggers: Weapons That Changed the World from 2011 to 2012 and Forged in Fire from 2015 to 2020, the latter of which fans miss him on. Neilson is the resident expert blacksmith on Forged in Fire. But now that the show is back with its new season, Wil is not there. "The smell was outrageous. But the trailer for the upcoming season hints at a new host. But the new teaser for the upcoming season shows that Ben Abbott is going to host the show. The weapons expert has a great career having been a military contractor as well as weapons designer with Fox knives Italy. ET. He appeared in seasons one and two, but in season three he took a leave of absence due to an injury on his hand. You'll also find other people's insightful takes on reality TV in these pages, too. As a fast-spreading rumor has it, only the winners get paid. He occasionally spoke about his experiences on his Instagram, detailing the lengthy process of becoming both. It turns out, after getting eliminated on the show, contestants are required to leave behind any blades and weapons that they were working on. Chris Riva Leaving FOX19 NOW: Where Is the Cincinnati Anchor Going? He criticized his trailer and the slow filming process. Article continues below advertisement. Forged in Fire without Wil Willis just isnt the same. Considering Wil has been with Forged in Fire from the start, its hardly surprising that the series devoted admirers are a little taken aback. Since Forged in Fire is still in the middle of its eighth season, The History Channel has made no official announcements regarding the release date for season 9. Meet the new History show presenter! re-watching episodes that still showcased their favorite longtime host. Viewers started to notice a slight British accent on Ben and theyd be correct, as he wasnt born in Passadena, California, where he now lives. People have come to appreciate their hobbies even more over the months, whether that be exercise, cooking, gaming, and of course, TV. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. There has been no official confirmation from the History channel or from Neilson about him leaving the show. Thankfully nobody has ever been seriously harmed on the show. "While we appreciate Wil and everything he brought to the series we are excited to start this new chapter and welcome Grady into the 'forge' as our new host.". Related: Love Is Blind And 14 More Reality TV Shows To Binge-Watch On Netflix. This show encourages previous Forged in Fire champions to face off against one of the four judges for an additional $10,000. Wils responsibilities on the show included giving competitors specifications to meet for their blades and offering advice. He is no longer the host of the History Channel show but has certainly been missed by longtime viewers. Next: 15 Strange (But True) Facts About Reality TV. Play trailer 0:31. The shows host is Wil Willis. reality blurredis regularly updated with highlights from the world of reality TV: news and analysis; behind-the-scenes reports; interviews with reality TV show cast members and producers; and recaps and reviews ofreality TV showsincluding Survivor, The Amazing Race, The Mole, Big Brother, The Great British Baking Show, Shark Tank, Top Chef, Holey Moley, The Bachelor, Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars, and many more. Who is Grady Powell? Willis spent ten years as an Air Force Pararescueman, and four years as an Army Ranger. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. I think of writing about television as the start of a conversation, and I value your contributions to that conversation. Wil was inspired to join the military by his father's own service in the U.S. Army until 1991. He carried that post until 1998 when he cross-trained to the Air Force. Wil became an Air Force Pararescue Recovery Specialist. One judge to come and go from Forged in Fire is Jason Knight. To make matters even more intriguing, he doesn't have new projects listed on his IMDb page. In fact, back in Season 3, fans worried J. has decided to leave the show when he went missing from the judges panel. I believe pop culture can both entertain and affect us, and so reality blurred's goal is to amplify the best and hold the worst accountable. Why did David Baker leave Forged in Fire? What he actually says is it will KEAL. This acronym, which Marcaida came up with himself, stands for Keep Everyone Alive. Marcaida knows there are kids watching. After his success in Forged in Fire, he became the host of the spin-off show, Forged in Fire: Beat the Judges. You had me until the "inaccurate death count" bit. Does the runner up on Forged in Fire win anything? FACT CHECK: Dave Ramsey Made a Statement About America Online, FACT CHECK: CIA Director Gina Haspel Found Dead, FACT CHECK: Kwik Trip Launches Kwik Strip Gentlemens Clubs. Despite the upset feelings generated by the loss of Wil on Forged in Fire, fans have been having a blast (no pun intended!) I miss This round is OVER (with a hand gesture)!. Neilson as a judge in Forged in Fire champion is $ 35,000 per annum was in the season 4 after! In each episode, four bladesmiths compete in a three-round elimination contest to forge bladed weapons, with the overall winner receiving $10,000 and the show's championship title "Forged in Fire Champion". After he retired from the military, Willis began using his expert weaponry knowledge as a commentator on. Who is David Baker? In the meantime, fans can catch up with him and little Flash on social media. EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Limited Or Anthology Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie, EMMY NOMINATIONS 2022: Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie. on the host of Forged in Fire. In other words, Im here to call it out when it sucks and celebrate it when its amazing. What does Forged in Fire do with the carcass? Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? Wil was inspired to join the military by his father's own service in the U.S. Army until 1991. He was replaced during this time with Jason Knight. Its been a while., Another penned: YOU are missed in FIF. That gives loyal viewers some hope that his hiatus isnt permanent. A lot has happened in the former hosts life since his departure, from welcoming his first son with his in March 2020 to hosting Mental Health Mondays on his Instagram page. IMDbPro Starmeter See rank. Former Monroe Native Drew Goodson has been interested in blacksmithing as far back as he can remember and his smithing dreams recently came true on Tuesday, May 1, when at 18 years old he became the youngest ever champion on The History Channels Forged in Fire., 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. In fact, Forged in Fire relies on the talents of its presenter Wil Willis and a selection of judges who help evaluate the weapons made by the blacksmiths. Additionally, Forged in Fire has not yet been renewed for Season 10. In fact, some even went as far as making jokes about a potential crossover between Forged in Fire and The Mandalorian sometime in the future due to both shows having some skilled blacksmiths. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. A US military veteran, who served in the US Air Force for 8 years, and then pursued a career as a Respiratory Therapist for 20 years, all the while teaching and honing his skills as a Filipino martial artist. "As with any legacy series that has had the privilege of being on the air for five-plus years, fans will notice new names and faces from time to time," the network shared in a statement. During his time on the show, which aired from 2015 to 2019, Wil gained immense popularity among viewers. What happens to the weapons that are made in the show Forged in Fire? The show keeps all weapons, whether completed or not; you can see many of them hanging on the studio walls when they are deliberating. He also has two children from his previous marriage. Given that the film and television industry was perilously affected due to the pandemic and successive lockdowns across the world, there might be a good reason Wil had to sit this season out. 2023 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Wont be the same without him tbh," became prevalent after the announcement. Forged in Fire was not the first presenting job that Wil Willis had on television. He has plenty of experience in using the kinds of weapons that the contestants make on the show. But, can you blame me? At least, thats what Doug Marcaida believes. However, he left the show in season 3 and returned for the season 4 premiere, so the injury didnt see him out of action for long. In fact, before he started working on TV he was an Army Ranger and also worked as an Air Force pararescue specialist, receiving several decorations for his service. He also lists himself as a self-employed executive producer. While he is still a regular judge on the series, he has occasionally been replaced with Ben Abbott, a past winner on the show. Forged in Fire s newest judge is Ben Abbott, a two-time Forged in Fire winner. February 27, 2023 alexandra bonefas scott No Comments . Contents [ hide] 1 Early Life and Education 2 Career 2.1 Military 2.2 Actor 2.3 TV Appearances - Host and Expert 2.4 Forged in Fire 2.5 Writer 3 Personal Life So it's likely that he is at least 45 years old, having. Copyright 2023 Distractify. It's likely higher than what is being reported due to suicides, fear of hospitals and COVID patients, sedentary lifestyle because of social distancing. Writer. There are four judges, and Wil has served as the show's host for quite some time. There's a strong chance that he was eager to spend more time with his family, which made him more inclined to leave Forged in Fire. ", He also spoke candidly about the filming process, saying it would take "three to five days to film an episode its the slowest, most boring process in the world." Tweets like, "I am disappointed to learn that they got rid of the host Wil Willis. Catch new episodes of Forged in Fire every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on History. Wil also acknowledged that the show's working circumstances weren't ideal in an interview. Neilson came back for the premiere of the fourth season. In March 2020, he welcomed a child with his wife, artist Krystle Amina! However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire. Read on to find out what happened to Wil Willis on the show. This was because he had an injuryon his hand that needed surgery. A new season of Forged in Fire premieres on November 18, after the exciting spinoff, Forged in Fire: Beat the Judges, wrapped up its first season this year. Wil Willis Is Not Part of New Forged in Fire Season Wil Willis, the former Army Ranger, has been the host of Forged in Fire since it began. Weve created a community that connects people through open and thoughtful conversations about the TV were watching and the stories about it. Wil is also a father to two other children from a previous marriage. a haiku pic.twitter.com/tktB4EIxbC. However, his last post on Instagram was in May earlier this year. Did J. Neilson Leave the Show? History has not yet announced if there will be further changes taking place over at Forged in Fire. While Forged in Fire will be a crowned jewel in Wil Willis' television experience, he has also been a part of other shows. If you have ever browsed through the History Channel, it is highly unlikely that Forged in Fire might have skipped your gaze. Wil Willis was replaced on Forged in Fire, leaving viewers curious about what happened to the former host and why the decision was made in the first place. Thats also the reason he appeared on the Spike television show Deadliest Warrior, giving viewers an insight into the weapons used by the different figures on the series. There hasnt been an official statement from The History Channel or Willis, but Forged in Fire speculates a reason for his break from the show. It turns out, after getting eliminated on the show, contestants are required to leave behind any blades and weapons that they were working on. Additional Crew. Get reality TV news, reviews, and recommendations in your inbox every week. Wil Willis, the former Army Ranger, has been the host of Forged in Fire since it began. So, its likely that he was spending time with his family when preparations for the show were underway and decided to take a break. During the same month, Wil shared on LinkedIn that he became the director of membership and communications for Management Connection in California. ET on the History Channel. That way, the judges know what kind of quality they can expect when the bladesmiths get to work themselves. Original cast member Wil Willis left Forged in Fire in the spring of 2020 after Season 7 wrapped up. However, it seems that the History Channel has had a . Wil Willis did, however, have a cause for quitting Forged in Fire. When J. Neilson was incapacitated and could not appear on Forged in Fire, he was briefly replaced with Jason Knight. Despite said complaints, he still gave props to the crew of the show, calling them the ones that are "making sure that all of these pieces that make Forged in Fire what it is come together into this show that everybody loves.". "Watching since the beginning. To share our perspectives and exchange ideas in a welcoming, supportive space, Ive created these rules for commenting here. In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family. Today, he is most popular as th4e host on Forged in Fire, and is married to an artist named Krystle Amina. But we do have insight into what Wils job was like. All Rights Reserved. It asks that the contestants put their talents to the metal and recreate some of historys most well-known blades and edges. Likewise, additional details about the forthcoming season have yet to be unveiled. New host This beloved American competition series premiered back in 2015 and earned such an admirable fanbase over the second half of the last decade. He got candid about his experiences in an interview with B3F Podcast, and this time, he didn't hold back the details. Meet the Real Steel Experts Who Judge 'Forged in Fire', Yep, 'Forged in Fire's David Baker's Eye Injury Happened on the Job, 'Forged in Fire' Isn't Daniel Casey's First Stint on the History Channel. Im Andy Dehnart, a writer who obsessively and critically covers reality TV, focusing on how its made and what it means. By: Caroline John - Published: November 2, 2020 at 7:45 am. Thats when the reality starts: when the clock starts. I swear to god it was probably 4 feet by 6 feet total. Wil left Forged in Fire in 2020 after welcoming his first child into the world. Wil Willis, 46, is an actor and former US Army soldier. If you watched 101 Weapons that changed the world, yes that was me in an eye patch. Photo: Facebook/WilWillis Do they use real pig carcass on Forged in Fire? In fact, back in Season 3, fans worried J. has decided to leave the show when he went missing from the judges panel. On LinkedIn, Wil describes himself as a self-employed executive producer and experienced show host. Do Forged in Fire contestants keep their weapons? Why is Wil Willis no longer on Forged in Fire? Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. So, in other words, the network isnt saying much on the record. Of course, like many other reality television series, it isnt necessarily just the participants who are the stars of the show. Forged in Fire relies on the talents of its presenter Wil Willis and a selection of judges to help evaluate each weapon with pure expertise. Willis and his wife, Krystle Amina, welcomed their first child, Flash Orion Willis, in March 2020. While we appreciate Wil Willis and everything he brought to the series, we are excited to start this new chapter and welcome Grady Powell into the forge as our new host.. The majority of my time at Forged in Fire was spent sitting inside of this hotbed of shit, he said of his trailer. What happened to Wil Willis?" It was not a big space., He said that it took three to five days to film an episodeits the slowest, most boring process in the world.. They are curious if he quit, was fired, or is on a temporary break. "KEAL" is an acronym for " Keep Everyone Alive." In other words, the sentence emphasizes the importance of celebrating the art of forgery without causing harm. . Season 3 of Forged in Fire saw J Neilson leave Forged in Fire. #flashdaddy #babywatchisover #thefunhasarrived #laboranddelivery, A post shared by Wil Willis (@whiskey2whiskey) on Mar 6, 2020 at 7:21pm PST. The rest of the crowd, some fans hypothesize, only get exposure. In fact, there have been several Forged in Fire injuries just not on the show. 6 Why did J Neilson leave forged in fire? Doug Marcaida military service and career life. The first was the 2009 show Special Ops Mission and the second was a 2011 series called Triggers: Weapons That Changed the World. However, there was a reason behind Wil Willis leaving Forged in Fire.In March 2020, he and his wife welcomed a son, so he is currently spending time with his family.Wil also admitted in an interview that the working conditions on the show were not the best. What happened to Wil Willis from Forged in Fire? This means that in the main Forged in Fire series, meat is often sitting in a hot warehouse all day. #ForgedInFire, New season of Forged in FireMe: Yes!New host Me: pic.twitter.com/tbAcsMWqdV. The host took to Instagram to welcome the birth of his son Flash Orion Willis on Mar. I swear to God it was probably 4 feet by 6 feet total. What's the real. Unfortunately, Willis hasn't spoken out about what led to his departure from the series. Since the trailer emerged without humble host Wil, a number of fans have flocked to Twitter to weigh in with their thoughts and reactions. Before he launched to fame, Wil spent ten years as an Air Force Pararescue man, and four years as an Army Ranger. I miss you on the Forge bro and Forged in Fire aint the same were just a couple of other comments fans regularly leave on Wils social media. Has anyone been seriously injured on Forged in Fire? Willis abruptly left his hosting duties and will not be returning to the show for its newest season.