They were among the biggest losers on The Block last year when they walked away with just $20,000 after their home sold at auction for a fraction of its reserve.
But Channel Nine has given Tom and Sarah-Jane Calleja a lifeline by hiring plumber Tom as a tradie for the upcoming season.
A photo has leaked of Tom, dressed in a hi-vis shirt, hard at work on the Melbourne construction site, either as a craftsman or junior foreman.
Fans have praised The Block’s production team and host Scott Cam for “looking after” the Callejas after they lost money competing in last year’s season and were forced to sell their car.
They also moved their young family to a caravan park amid the financial strain.
Channel Nine has given The Block 2022 stars Tom and Sarah-Jane Calleja a lifeline by hiring plumber Tom (left) as tradie for the new season. A photo has leaked of Tom, dressed in a hi-vis shirt, hard at work on the Melbourne construction site, either as a craftsman or as a junior foreman
“I knew Scotty would take care of me [Tom] and SJ. He’ll be a good hipage man,” a Block fan said under the photo, which was leaked to a Facebook group.
Earlier this year, Tom and Sarah-Jane were reprimanded for “whining” about losing $100,000 while filming the Channel Nine show.
Fans accused the couple of having “no idea about reality” after revealing that the $20,000 they made at auction didn’t cover their bills, mortgage or their daughter Cleo’s childcare.
The pair also won an $80,000 Ford Ranger as a prize to sell. They also revealed that they spent $40,000 of their savings to cover the cost of appearing on the show.
The Callejas were among the biggest losers on The Block last year as they walked away with just $20,000 after their house sold at auction for a fraction of its reserve
Fans praised The Block’s production team and host Scott Cam for ‘looking after’ the Callejas after they lost money competing in last year’s season and were forced to sell their car
“Essentially you get paid $100 a day [per person],’ said Sarah.
‘[After childcare]right away we had $80 together to cover all our bills back home – our rates, mortgages, utilities, pay for our food all the time, feed and clothe our daughter, just everything.”
Sarah claimed that Tom lost $40,000 from not working for three months, while she lost about $20,000.
‘That’s how you’re in the red! Financially it was a huge bombshell for us,” she added.
Earlier this year, Tom and Sarah-Jane were criticized for ‘whining’ over their $100,000 loss while filming the Channel Nine show
“But you take that risk, money is never guaranteed, we just didn’t think about the amount you spend when you don’t work.”
During The Block’s finals, their property had a reserve price of $4.08 million and sold for $4.1 million, meaning they walked away with only $20,000 for their efforts.
The pair later said the disappointing result meant they had to sell their Ford Ute.
Tom and Sarah-Jane lived in a caravan park after The Block auctions in November
The Callejas lived in a caravan park after The Block auctions in November.
At the time, Sarah-Jane took to Instagram and offered fans a tour of their new mobile home, complete with Kmart furnishings, after giving it a complete makeover.
She explained how her husband installed a ceiling fan, a fireplace, furniture, and a dartboard to make the temporary shelter more inviting.
Fortunately, they managed to find the silver lining, with Sarah-Jane saying, “We’ve had the experience of a lifetime and it’s something we can tell our grandchildren about.”
Sarah-Jane took to Instagram at the time to offer fans a tour of their new mobile home, complete with Kmart furnishings, after giving it a complete makeover