The Block’s love curse: A look back at all the couples that have split after appearing on the show

Talented contestants have made hundreds of thousands of dollars renovating their homes on The Block.

And while there have been many success stories from the Channel Nine series, many more relationships have imploded after appearing on the show.

Most recently in 2019, Deanne and Darren Jolly announced that they had split after 13 years of marriage.

Deanne confirmed the news in a heartbreaking statement, claiming she was ‘blindsided’ by the former AFL star.

After their split, the exes became embroiled in a bitter custody battle and Darren even contemplated suicide.

Despite all their hard work on the 2015 season of The Block, Deanne and Darren unfortunately walked away with only $10,000 in winnings.

The following year, however, it was a different story, with the pair winning a whopping $935,000 after returning to compete on The Block: Triple Threat.

Steve O’Donnell and Chantelle Ford, who starred in the 2014 renovation series, split 14 months after raking in a whopping $736,000 in prize money.

They announced the news on their shared Facebook page where they wrote: “We interrupt you on Sunday evening to let you know that we are no longer a couple.”

The reality stars explained that the split is mutual, continuing, “We have had over 3.5 years together and remain the best of friends, but both agree that we are better off as friends.

“There is no drama, no scandal, we are just two people with enormous respect for each other who have made this difficult decision together.”

During their time on the show, Steve and Chantelle unexpectedly came from behind to beat their fellow contestants on auction day.

However, cracks began to appear in their relationship as the weeks progressed and time pressure increased, with the couple at one point forced to deny rumors that they were calling it quits.

Despite initially denying rumors that their marriage had ended, 2013’s The Block couple Madi and Jarrod Coppock divorced a year after making $291,000 from their Melbourne apartment.

Since their split, Jarrod proposed to his girlfriend Tilly Parker in 2018. The couple welcomed a daughter together the following year.

Madi is no longer on social media, but Woman’s Day claims she married her new partner in 2015.

Meanwhile, Whitney made time for her romance with partner Andrew shortly after completing their season in 2015.

She revealed she had ended the couple’s professional and personal relationship by leaving their Melbourne home, admitting: “Yes, there were tears.”

Speaking to Woman’s Day, Whitney said: ‘Officially it just ended, but in my mind it was weeks ago when we started at the community level. It’s tough going through a breakup, and especially having to explain it to the other person.’

She continued, “He was upset and I was upset, but I think we both understood that it had to end. We both knew it was going to happen because I wasn’t happy for a while.”

Andrew had only kind words to say about his former partner, telling the publication that he hoped they could get back together in the future.

He also revealed that he would be looking for a partner with some of Whitney’s qualities, saying, “I’ll still be there for her no matter what.”

Steven Starkey and Richard Sterry, who starred in the 2004 season of the hit show, split after filming wrapped.

The former couple’s “disco-style” home failed to make it to the Reserve at auction and they eventually went their separate ways.

It is believed that Steven has moved to Auckland while Richard lives in New York.

Judge Shaynna Blaze announced her divorce from her 18-year-old personal trainer husband, Steve Vaughan, in August 2018.

The interior designer wrote on Instagram: ‘Somewhere in life our paths change direction and now this is one of those moments for me, where Steve and I part ways.

“I will make no further comment on this matter and while I appreciate your support, I ask that you respect our right to privacy. Thank you, Shaynna.”

Shaynna and Steve tied the knot twenty years ago. They previously dated for 11 months after meeting at a local bar in Melbourne.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, The Block judge reflected on hitting rock bottom the following year.

The 57-year-old, who threw herself into work after the breakdown of their marriage, admitted she was in ‘a hole’ she couldn’t ‘get out of’.

‘I actually couldn’t stop working… I was on that rat wheel for a long time. But this time last year, I was really forced to take a step back and say no to a lot of things simply because I had to,” Shaynna said.