Some viewers were shocked to learn that “Forged in Firelongstanding “‘s host Wil Willis had been replaced when Season 8 of the show premiered on the History Channel. Willis had been a part of the show from the start, serving as the host and assisting the bladesmiths in each season’s arduous competition. It’s easy to say that the former soldier was a fan favourite, and his abrupt exit from the series was, to put it mildly, perplexing.
Without a question, Willis was the ideal choice to host “Forged in Fire” due to his qualifications. He served as an Army Ranger for four years and an Air Force Pararescueman for ten years before to entering the world of reality television. After leaving the military, Willis started commentating on programmes like “Special Ops Mission” and “Triggers: Weapons That Changed the World” using his extensive understanding of weapons.
Then, in 2015, he was offered the hosting position for “Forged in Fire,” where he immediately established himself as the program’s most reliable member. That was, at least, until Season 8 debuted with “Ultimate Survival Alaska” alum Grady Powell as the show’s new host. Sadly, Willis hasn’t disclosed the circumstances for his departure from the series. But a new member of his expanding family may very likely be the cause of his departure.
What’s the real reason why Wil Willis left Forged in Fire?
Willis and his wife Krystle Amina have a son, named Flash Orion Willis, on March 6, 2020. Since then, images of the former “Forged in Fire” host’s gorgeous child have taken over his social media pages. After the difficult year that was 2020, it appears like Willis is basking in fatherhood and relishing his time with his family.
In a December 2020 episode of the “B3f” podcast, Willis also discussed the difficult nature of the “Forged in Fire” filming process. He stated that “three to five days are needed to record an episode” and acknowledged that it can be a “boring” procedure. And although while he expressed his gratitude for the show and its cast, it was clear from his comments that he was ready for a change of scenery.
Powell will usher in a new age of “Forged in Fire,” according to a statement from the History Channel that was distributed to fans. A channel spokeswoman issued the following comment (via Triblive.com): “Fans will occasionally see new names and faces, as with any heritage series that has had the honour of airing for more than five years. Although we are grateful for Wil Willis and all that he contributed to the series, we are eager to begin this new chapter and welcome Grady Powell as our new host.”
At least for the time being, it appears that Willis is concentrating on his young family and preparing for the next phase of his career. Powell seemed to be giving it his all as the new host of the venerable programme “Forged in Fire,” despite the fact that it won’t be the same without him.
