The Block producer addresses major rumour about couple quitting 2024 season: 'Blindsided'

The Block’s milestone twentieth season is set to feature one of the most dramatic storylines in the history of the show when one team decides to quit the competition. While the 2022 season saw Elle Ferguson and Joel Patfull abruptly leave the series after just 48 hours - and were subsequently replaced by Rachel & Ryan Carr - the upcoming season will see a couple walk away around the halfway mark.

Yahoo Lifestyle revealed in April that the Blue Team’s Jesse and Paige decided to pull the pin six weeks into shooting the reality show as they buckled under the stress of the high-pressure environment. A production insider told us that “everyone was left gobsmacked when the Western Australian team fled Phillip Island”, and Channel Nine scrambled to find a replacement team.

“Producers felt blindsided by their decision to quit. It certainly wasn't on their bingo card when they cast the season,” the insider adds. “This was supposed to be the wholesome, back-to-basics season of The Block which viewers had been crying out for.”

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Ahead of the show’s highly-anticipated return on Monday night, executive producer Julian Cress has shared details about the upcoming storyline and revealed how production dealt with the team’s shock departure.

“We didn’t make it through the whole series with all five teams. We had to replace one of them along the way, which was a very dramatic moment,” he told TV Tonight. “It was a very difficult decision for them to come to, but there was a very strong reason why they decided to do it and very dramatic and will be unfolding in the coming weeks.”

'Their reasons for leaving are pretty remarkable'

Julian, who co-created the series in 2003 alongside David Barbour, went on to say that the show’s producers didn’t try and force the team to stay in the competition because “it’s impossible to tell somebody to do The Block”.

“If you even take your eye off the ball on The Block for a day, you get your arse handed to you. Nobody can do it unless they’re 100% committed to the task at hand,” he continued.

“I’m not saying these people left because they were lazy. They wanted to do it, but it just became enormously challenging at some point and their reasons for leaving are pretty remarkable. I think it will start a very interesting conversation amongst the audience.”

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Julian also revealed that Jesse and Paige will make a return to the show before the finale, adding: “They’re very glad for all the support they were given, and believe that they made the right decision.”

It’s been reported that sisters Maddy and Charlotte from NSW replaced Jesse and Paige when they decided to quit, and were given just 24 hours' notice to jump in and finish the job. While they may be the youngest contestants this season, the dynamic duo have plenty of renovation experience under their belt after previously transforming a 1950s weatherboard cottage.

The Block judges 2024

Hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft are back this season while real estate director Marty Fox has officially replaced longtime judge Neale Whitaker alongside Shaynna Blaze and Darren Whitaker.

Dan Reilly has also become the show’s sole foreman as Keith Schleiger wasn’t able to make the move to Phillip Island, although both Neale and Keith are expected to make guest appearances.

Who won The Block 2023?

Steph and Gian were the winners of the 2023 season of The Block after their stunning home sold for a history-making $5,000,000. Their reserve was $3.350 million which gave the couple a profit of $1.65 million plus $100,000 prize money taking them to $1.75 million in winnings.

The pair now run their own business - Japandi Estate.

What time does The Block start tonight?

The Block kicks off at 7:30 pm on Monday, August 12th on Channel Nine. The show will air on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the 2024 season.

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