Guess that’s the first “shock twist” of the new Season 
The house was renovated by Eliza and Liberty during season 19 last year.
I feel Fiona Byrne is obsessed with this show more than any other every single year, it’s all she writes about and talks about on 3AW.
The exclusive access on-sites, perks and what have you would certainly help. Also she’s probably friends with former fellow scribe Scott Ellis who is/was producing Block.
And maybe just being a Victorian based reality show, which is the longest running and consistently tops ratings.
Her bud Dee Dee Dunleavy was the same.
The first Buyer’s Jury for the Phillip Island houses was held last night (some spoilers).
Keith Schleiger has scaled back his involvment due to family commitments. He has also just launched his own business, Keith’s Bathrooms and Renovations.
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Foreman Keith has been on the show for ages. I wonder if the “undertaker” - Foreman Dan - will have a bigger role.
The article states that Dan will be taking over his role.
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Herald Sun reporting Neale Whitaker has left the show completely now.
Last year he made guest appearances.
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An article posted by 9Now an hour ago suggests otherwise. He’s back as a guest.
So they get rid of Keith and Neale but keep Shayna? Crazy.
Does that mean that up himself real estate guy that’s exactly like Darren will take his place?
Any reason we left Darren running on the beach Baywatch style out of the caps? 
Promo on FB for those of you who want to watch
Darren at 1:13
So keen. One of the last few shows left to watch on Fta.
THE BLOCK 20TH SEASON GOES COASTAL
THE BLOCK PHILLIP ISLAND COMING SOON
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
- Plumber Ricky (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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Filming wrapped up earlier this month according to an article on Yahoo, which also named the couple who pulled out early in the season.
EP Julian Cress told TV Tonight that the plans submitted to the local council last year were approved a couple of months ago, so the show would be filming in Daylesford after all.
UPDATE 10.35pm AEST 11/7: Herald Sun reports tonight that Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny intervened in the planning process and given the green light to the Daylesford project.
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aFtEr tHe oLyMpIcS 