The most competitive and hard-fought series in The Block’s history came to a stunning conclusion in tonight’s auctions as carpenter Josh Barker and his model girlfriend Elyse Knowles scored the winning margin.

The win was sealed as the hammer came down at $3,067,000. The price was $447,000 over their reserve price and enough to secure them an additional $100,000 in prizemoney, allowing the twenty-something duo to pay off their mortgage and continue their passion for renovating family homes. 

The secret bidder for their home, who only registered one hour before proceedings commenced, was one of Australia’s favourite comedians, Dave Hughes. Interestingly, Hughes and his chequebook were also present at The Block 2016 auctions but he failed to make a bid as prices soared.

In a shock twist, Josh and Elyse’s main competitors in the show, Ronnie and Georgia, brought even more drama to the finale when their auction stalled at $2.6 million and host Scott Cam had to intervene. He instructed their agents to pass the property in and the subsequent negotiations saw their house sell for $2,781,000, earning the professional renovators $161,000 over reserve and third place for the night.

Ahead of them in second place were Melbourne battlers Jason and Sarah. The oldest couple on the show took home a life-changing profit of $387,000 as their house sold for $3,007,000.

Season 13 of the The Block proved lucky for all five couples who walk away winners despite going up against a record-breaking number of auctions in Melbourne.

Fan favourites and best mates from NSW, Sticks and Wombat, claimed fourth place when their house went under the hammer for $2,650,000. They walk away with a profit of $130,000.

In the final auction of the night the reno rookies from Townsville, Clint and Hannah, earned themselves $95,000 over reserve when their house sold for $2,615,000.

The juggernaut ratings for The Block in 2017 proves once again that Australia cannot get enough of the renovation reality series. Host Scott Cam along with Shelley Craft and the gang will be back to challenge a fresh batch of Blockheads when the program returns for its 14th series at The Gatwick in Melbourne in 2018.

Tonight’s results confirm The Block as Australia’s richest reality show, taking total prizemoney across 13 seasons to a whopping $18,895,501.

PREVIOUS BLOCK WINNERS

2003 – BONDI – Adam & Fiona, $256,000
2004 – MANLY – Jamie & Andrew, $178,000
2010 – VAUCLUSE – John & Neisha, $305,000
2011 – RICHMOND – Polly & Waz, $115,000
2012 – SOUTH MELBOURNE – Brad & Lara, $606,000
2013 – ALL STARS (BONDI) – Phil & Amity, $395,000
2013 – SKY HIGH (SOUTH MELBOURNE) – Alisa & Lysandra, $395,000
2014 – FANS v FAVES (ALBERT PARK) – Steve & Chantelle, $736,000
2014 – GLASSHOUSE (PRAHRAN) – Shannon & Simon, $435,000
2015 – TRIPLE THREAT (SOUTH YARRA) – Darren & Deanne, $935,000
2015 – THE BLOCKTAGON (SOUTH YARRA) – Dean & Shay, $755,000
2016 – THE BLOCK 2016 (PORT MELBOURNE) – Will & Karlie, $815,000

For further information, please contact:
Madeleine Clark
Nine Network Publicity
03 9420 3463 / 0403 799 323
Sunday, October 29, 2017