Get ready to celebrate two decades of design, drama, and dazzling renovations when The Block returns for an incredible 20th season in 2024.

Australia’s favourite home renovation show is heading to the stunning coastal location of Phillip Island, a cruisy two-hour drive from Melbourne and home to the world famous Australian MotoGP and Penguin Parade. 

In the new season of The Block, five couples from around Australia make the move to Phillip Island to build a new home that could change their lives forever come auction day. 

The Blockheads will renovate five luxury family holiday homes – once again designed by longtime Block architect Julian Brenchley – from an abandoned resort just a few minutes’ drive from the town of Cowes.

Host Scott Cam is back for an incredible 18th season and will be joined by trusty co-host Shelley Craft for her 17th season on the show. 

“When I drove into the site for the first time I knew it was going to be a big job for our contestants,” Scott said. “The houses are enormous and when you walk around the site, there are surprises at every turn, including a tennis court and a swimming pool.”

This year there are some big changes on the show. Keith Schleiger steps down from his longtime role as Foreman as he was unable to move to Phillip Island fulltime, so Dan Reilly will take on the role as sole Foreman.

Veteran judge Neale Whitaker has also handed the baton on, to real estate director Marty Fox. Marty will join Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer to judge the spectacular rooms with the brief of creating a perfect holiday home.

But fans don’t have to worry, both Keith and Neale will be making special guest appearances throughout the season. 

The Block couples who will start the renovations on Phillip Island are: 

• Carpenter Jesse (29) and claims specialist Paige (27) – engaged couple from WA
• Electrician Kristian (31) and restaurant manager Mimi (28) – newlyweds from SA
• PlumberRicky (34) and IT worker Haydn (37) – best mates from VIC
• Events account director and furniture designer Courtney (32) and landscape business development manager Grant (29) – married couple from NSW
• Hairdresser and business owner Kylie (37) and electrician and plumber Brad (32) – married parents from QLD

The 20th season of The Block will also be celebrated with a number of fan favourites returning to the show to lend a helping hand for this monster build. Plus, as this season builds to the auction, a select group of the Allstars will be helping this year’s Blockheads to create something never seen on the Block before.

The returning Allstar Blockheads include: 
Steph and Gian (2023), Eliza and Liberty (2023), Jimmy and Tam (2020), Alisa and Lysandra (2013, 2014), Ronnie and Georgia (2020, 2021), Michael and Carlene (2014), Kyal and Kara (2014), Tom and Sarah-Jane (2022), Omar and Oz (2022), Dale and Sophie (2012) and Andy and Deb (2019). 

The picturesque backdrop of Phillip Island is the perfect location to celebrate the 20th season of the ratings juggernaut created by Julian Cress and David Barbour. They have plans to celebrate everything Phillip Island has to offer and show it off to Australia and the world. 

“Marking season 20, it felt like we really needed to do something special,” Cress said. “We weren’t going to settle for just any location as it’s a major milestone, and Phillip Island has exceeded all of our expectations.

“Not only is it the natural beauty of the place, but the warm welcome we were given from the local community made it a very special experience for the entire cast, the crew, hosts and judges.” 

As well as the incredible holiday houses being built, this season is no exception to Block drama.

“We set out to build five holiday houses, but it certainly wasn’t a holiday for some of our contestants,” Cress said. “Without giving too much away, the audience is going to be in for some major surprises across this series.” 

The first series of The Block premiered in 2003 from the Sydney suburb of Bondi and was an immediate ratings smash. Twenty seasons later, it is entrenched as a cultural phenomenon, as well as one of the most successful shows in Australian television history.

The Block has seen:

• Over 900 episodes created
• More than $34,000,000 in prizemoney won
• 176 Blockheads on the show
• 98 homes renovated
• 200 bathrooms built 
• 98 kitchens built
• Broadcasts in 170 territories around the world

The Block in Phillip Island is set to celebrate a milestone 20th season in 2024 and is coming soon to Channel 9 and 9Now. 

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Learn more about The Block at: nine.com.au/theblock

For further information, please contact:
Aimee Ball
9Network Publicity
aimee.ball@nine.com.au

Thursday, June 27, 2024