Why a photo of The Block bidder Adrian Portelli with a high-flying Channel Nine producer has sparked outrage
Several photos posted by infamous Block bidder Adrian Portelli on his Instagram page have renewed concerns about the ‘legitimacy’ of the renovation show.
A source claims the show has received attention from “watchdogs” after the 35-year-old billionaire dropped more than $15 million on all five homes during The Block’s auction earlier this month.
“The relationship that Adrian Portelli has maintained with the show’s creators over the years is all over the internet,” they said, referring to photos Portelli shared on his social media.
In one, the high-flying businessman poses with The Block producer Julian Cress, which Portelli shared on his Instagram on auction day.
“The fact that it was in the media and that the story was that he had spent $15 million got a lot of attention from watchdogs,” the source said. Yahoo lifestyle on Thursday.
‘It does raise some concerns about the legitimacy of the way The Block auctions are organised. A majority of viewers don’t believe the way The Block ended felt right. It didn’t pass the ”pub test”.
Several photos posted by infamous Block bidder Adrian Portelli on his Instagram page have renewed concerns about the ‘legitimacy’ of the renovation show
In one, the high-flying businessman poses with The Block producer Julian Cress, which Portelli shared on his Instagram on auction day. Pictured: The Block producer Julian Cress and Adrian Portelli (right)
When asked for comment, Nine told Ny Breaking Australia: “The Block auctions are conducted by licensed real estate agents who are required to comply with all relevant laws in the presence of Consumer Affairs.”
Sisters Maddy and Charlotte took home an eye-watering profit of $1.65 million in the nail-biting final, with their renovated Phillip Island property selling for $3.5 million.
Portelli himself raised eyebrows earlier this month when he revealed details of the Harry sisters’ victory.
Portelli told Nova’s Jase & Lauren that the auction order was predetermined, explaining to listeners, “We hand-selected the auction order to ensure that the girls [Maddy and Charlotte Harry] went last. So we can let them win,” Portelli began.
Portelli revealed that it was decided that their house would be the last to be auctioned off to add to the drama.
‘The girls thought it was important. They came in late. They were the underdogs, picked on and bullied.”
He said Marry and Charlotte were informed in advance why their properties would be auctioned last, adding that the other participants were left in the dark.
“It was just the girls [who were in on the plan]. How good is that? They are the sweetest and most innocent and played the game the best.”
Portelli himself raised eyebrows when he almost admitted that the 2024 auction was ‘rigged’ to give Blockheads Maddy and Charlotte the chance to walk away the winners. Pictured: Portelli with Block stars Maddy and Charlotte
However, Portelli later retracted all claims that The Block was “rigged.”
‘I never said The Block was rigged. Those words never came out of my mouth,” he told his followers on Instagram this month.
Maddy, 24, and Charlotte, 22, also took home an extra $100,000 for their monumental win.
Their four-bedroom, three-bathroom home had a reserve of $1.85 million.
Sisters Sydney entered the heated 20th season midway through filming after couple Paige Beechey and Jesse Maguire threw down their tools.
It comes after Portelli revealed his shock plan for ‘Block Island’ after purchasing all five of the contestants’ houses during auction day.
He announced that he will be giving away all the houses in a huge “resort giveaway” through his LMCT+ lottery company.
‘Under new management! And as mayor of the city of Portelli, I would like to announce a world first. Let’s give away an FKN resort!’
Adrian captioned his post on Facebook.’1 Giveaway – 1 Prize – Winner gets the entire resort OR instead, $8,000,000 in immediate tax-free cash! Let the game begin.’
The announcement included a photo of Portelli posing next to one of his lavish cars in the Block complex he had just purchased.
He was all smiles as he leaned back against his vehicle, holding an LMCT+ banner with a “No Vacancy” sign artfully displayed in the image.
The Portelli ‘rewards club’ has made its billions by having its customers pay for different membership levels to receive a number of entries into luxury giveaways.
Portelli has been he has been buying up block houses and giving them away in his lottery picks for the past three seasons.