The Block judge Darren Palmer says he ‘doesn’t condone bullying’ after fans brand the show a ‘toxic soap opera’
The Block judge Darren Palmer has opened up about the ‘toxic behaviour’ many fans have called out on this year’s show.
The 45-year-old shared his thoughts in a Q&A on his Instagram following Sunday’s episode where they revealed the master suite rooms.
Darren invited followers to use the ask function on Instagram, writing ‘it’s time to ask me again.’
When one of his followers asked him about the actions of the people from Houses 2 and 3, Darren did not hesitate.
‘Luckily we don’t hear or see anything that happens during the week. Continues to judge honestly and subjectively. “I don’t condone bullying,” he said.
The Block judge Darren Palmer (pictured) has opened up about the ‘toxic behaviour’ some fans saw on the show this year
Fans recently branded the show’s final season online as “toxic” and a “soap opera.”
‘Once upon a time there was a show about building. Now it’s a soap opera with construction segments,” one fan wrote on Reddit.
“B***hiness and toxicity are next level this season,” another added.
It comes just a few weeks after viewers of the Channel 9 show speculated about a feud between Palmer and the programme’s newest judge, Marty Fox.
In a Facebook fan group for the show, one viewer wrote: “Every time he spoke, Darren looked at the ground or away.”
Another agreed, replying: ‘He was squirming, right? Now that (Neale) Whitaker is out of the way, I think he thought it was time.”
When one of his followers asked him about the actions of the people from Houses 2 and 3, Darren did not hesitate. ‘Luckily we don’t hear or see anything that happens during the week. Continues to judge honestly and subjectively. “I don’t condone bullying,” he said
There are mixed opinions from fans about newcomer Marty, with some saying he is ‘easy on the eye’ while others think he is too harsh.
In the fan group, a viewer wrote: ‘I think the jury this year is cruel, these are amateurs’, not interior designers, give them a break. Your words are cruel and demoralizing.”
However, some disagreed, with one replying: ‘Omg… what is wrong with people these days??? The participants took part in a competition… to be judged!!! The jury will be critical!
It comes just a few weeks after viewers of the Channel 9 show speculated about a feud between Palmer and the programme’s newest judge, Marty Fox (pictured far right)
‘For God’s sake there’s nothing wrong with criticism! This is how we learn… we grow up!’
While Neale is still on the new series of The Block, he has taken a step back as newcomer Marty joined Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer as semi-regular judges.
Neale said he had cut his jury weeks short to spend more time with his partner David, who has recently had a number of ‘serious health problems’.
This season of The Block is filmed in Hampton East, a suburb on Melbourne’s bayside just 14km from the CBD.
In a Facebook fan group for the show, one viewer wrote: “Every time (Marty) spoke, Darren looked at the floor or away.”