The Block insider reveals Nine struggled to get teams from earlier series to come back for an All-Star appearance in the 20th anniversary season – as popular contestants refused to return: ‘It isn’t the same’
The Block will make All-Star appearances this year in its 20th anniversary season, but insiders have revealed it was difficult to find teams willing to return.
A source recently told Ny Breaking Australia that the returning cast members the network managed to secure were “disappointing” compared to previous teams.
Meanwhile, some former contestants from the show’s heyday said the show “isn’t what it once was,” while others didn’t want to “revisit the trauma.”
“They’ve only managed to sign previous Blockheads since 2012,” an insider said.
‘The contestants from the beginning of the season were not interested in returning… There will be no contestants from the first 4 seasons appearing.
“That’s quite a disappointing omission, especially considering this is a 20th anniversary celebration.”
“The answer was ‘no’ from those who had been on the show since 2003. They just weren’t getting much interest in those calls.
“Even the returning contestants aren’t the most exciting. It’s clear they were just making do with what they had.”
The Block will feature All-Star performances this year in its 20th anniversary season, but insiders have revealed they struggled to find teams willing to return. Pictured: Hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft
Filmed on Phillip Island, The Block 2024 welcomes eleven teams from eight different seasons, with the first dating back to 2012.
Some of the original stars returning include Dale and Sophie Vine from 2012, Michael and Carlene Duffy, and Kyal and Kara Demmrich – both from 2014.
However, the source noted that it was strange that fans like Gavin ‘Gav’ Atkins and Warren ‘Waz’ Sonin and Amity Dry were not present.
‘Dale and Sophie came fourth in their 2012 series, which was filmed on Dorcas St in Melbourne’s inner south,’ they said.
‘The Victoria couple are hardly a standout personality in the overall run of the renovation series. You’d expect to see Gav and Waz or Amity Dry. Definitely.’
A source recently revealed to Ny Breaking Australia that the returning cast members the network managed to secure were “disappointing” compared to previous teams. Pictured: Season one star Amity Dry with her now ex-husband Phil Rankine in 2005
Meanwhile, some former contestants from the show’s heyday said the show “isn’t what it used to be”, while others “didn’t want to relive the trauma”. Pictured: Season one cast with former host Jamie Durie in 2003
However, the source also said that Nine struggled to get the most popular teams from previous seasons to return to the show.
“The feeling was reportedly mutual, given the alumni shows between 2003 and 2010. The show has changed a lot since then,” the insider added.
‘It’s not so much about the renovation anymore, but more about the drama that takes place between the houses.
‘I don’t think the first contestants would work in the format that remains one of Channel Nine’s biggest success stories.’
To support these claims, an anonymous group of participants said, “The show isn’t what it once was and honestly, most of the participants don’t watch the show anymore.
“Once you see how the series was made, it feels more like reliving a trauma than reliving a cherished memory.”
“They’ve only managed to go back to 2012 in terms of signing previous Blockheads. The contestants from the beginning of the season weren’t interested in returning,” an insider said. Pictured: Season one favourites Gavin ‘Gav’ Atkins and Warren ‘Waz’ Sonin in 2003
Meanwhile, some couples from previous seasons appear to be happier with their lives, without the stress that comes with returning to reality TV.
A close friend of season one couple Gav and Waz said they declined to return to the show because “they’re not really interested in appearing on TV these days”.
‘They are just happy that they can make their lives as pleasant as possible, without others noticing.’
Due to the lack of worthwhile returning candidates, it was said that Nine’s producers were forced to abandon the idea of making an All-Stars-only season.
Instead, the renovation show will feature some of the teams from past years in a new guise as they help the new contestants build a secret project.
A close friend of season one couple Gav and Waz said they declined to return to the show because ‘they’re not really interested in being on TV these days’. ‘They’re just happy living their best lives under the radar’
Among the returning contestants, fans can expect to see 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio, along with 2022 record breakers Omar Slaimankhel and Oz Said.
The all-star group consists of 11 teams from eight different seasons, including season 19 favorites Eliza and Liberty Paschke.
Season 18 stars Tom and Sarah-Jane Calleja also return, as do Ronnie and Georgia Caceres who competed in seasons 13 and 17.
The 2020 season winners Jimmy and Tam Wilkins are also taking part, along with Andy and Deb Saunders who took part in 2019.
The other actors are Kyal and Kara Demmrich (2014), Michael and Carlene Duffy (2014), Dale and Sophie Vine (2012) and Alisa and Lysandra Fraser (2013 and 2014).
Ny Breaking Australia has reached out to Nine for comment.