Erin and Ben Napier could possibly be welcoming back a familiar face to Home Town!
Erin, 39, sparked speculation when she posted a photo on her Instagram account on Tuesday, November 5, with the caption, “When y’all see who installed this oak flooring you’re gonna FREAK out (hint: it wasn’t @scotsman.co, who used it to stretch ha).”
Ben, 41, was on the floor looking up at the camera in the photo, as it appeared that the pair were working on a new home renovation.
In the comments section of the post, fans held out hope that Erin was referencing the return of Home Town favorite Mike Husers, also known as “Mike the Floor Guy,” who has been absent from the show’s recent seasons.
One person commented, “Don’t tease us, tell us it’s mike!!!! I’ve missed his sweet soul on the screen.”
“IS MIKE BACK???” a third person said, as another echoed, “We need Mike back on the show. His soft, sweet disposition is surely missed.”
Fans have been hoping to see Mike return to the show, after he took a hiatus from TV. Erin publicly addressed speculation surrounding his absence from the program.
“Guys, I know y’all miss Mike. We do too! He’s on a leave of absence caring for a family member with a long-term illness,” Erin said in a January 2022 post on X. “We’re in good hands though with our new hardwood restoration experts Terry and Mike (!) You’re going to love them!”
She also previously launched a fundraiser for Mike after he faced some health issues.
“America’s favorite hardwood floor restoration expert, Mike Husers, has an impending surgery to fix a hip injury from years of crouching and sanding,” the graphic designer wrote in a blurb on the fundraiser website. “Walking and working are becoming increasingly difficult so let’s show Mike we love him and make his surgery cost and the eight-week recovery away from work (which will be harder for him to walk away from than the recovery itself) a little easier. Thanks far and wide to his many fans!”
The Lantern House author then provided an update on Mike’s health in March 2021.
“Mike was out most of the season with decades-long hip injuries, awaiting surgery,” she wrote on X. “There are a few fleeting appearances! He had surgery last month and is doing well, we’ve heard.”
As he has been missing from Home Town for several seasons, there were so many supportive comments left on Erin’s recent Instagram post from fans.
“I’ve never met the man obviously….But how cool is it/Is it not the sweetest thing that EVERYONE (not just me and my hubby) is freaking out that it’s potentially Mike?” one person said.
“I’m hoping it’s Mike! That man is a flooring wizard!” another said.
While the comments overwhelmingly are pulling for Mike’s return, someone guessed that Erin was actually the one who worked on the flooring herself.
“Would love to see Mike back but I am guessing it is Erin,” one person said, while another said, “Whew! I thought Big Ben was down! My money is on Erin for the install!”
