The Block's Dan and Dani Reilly break down while sharing heartbreaking family tragedy

Daily Mail​

5 hours ago

There was barely a dry eye in the house on Monday's episode of The Block as Dan Reilly opened up about his heartbreaking family tragedy.
The series foreman kicked off the episode's pre-start meeting with wife Dani, who broke down as they spoke for the first time on television about the loss of their daughter, Billie.
The reality TV couple tragically lost their daughter in December last year at just ten days old.
'I guess most people here would know our journey last year. We had our little girl, Billie – she arrived on the eighth of the twelfth last year,' Dan told the assembled cast and crew.
'Due to some... complications through birth we only got to spend ten days with our beautiful girl, Billie.'
As the mood became more sombre, Dani continued: 'So, we're actually very grateful for those ten days – her time was spent in the NICU department at the Women's Hospital in Melbourne.'
He was quick to praise the NICU staff, with Dani echoing his sentiments.
'Unfortunately, it didn't end in the way that it should have for us, but our time there, as Dan said, was really with Billie,' Dani said.
'Getting to know the nurses and doctors will be probably one of the things that we remember forever.'
Dan then added that he and Dani were on a 'mission' to raise funds and awareness for NICUs around the country as well as Red Nose Australia.
'Their support for us has been absolutely amazing and they guide you through something that nobody should ever have to go through.'
Dani added: 'And we're grateful for The Block for giving us the platform to be able to raise awareness for these organisations that were there for us.'
To honour their daughter's memory, Dan and Dani have established Billie's Besties, a foundation that aims to raise money for the NICU at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne.
The couple struggled to hold back tears as they recounted the harrowing story, and tenderly embraced as the teams also became visibly emotional.
Since December, the couple has raised more than $93,000 for NICU support as a tribute to Billie.
The reality TV couple took to Instagram in December to share the devastating news that their daughter, Billie Vera Reilly, had passed away on Wednesday at just 10 days old.
They posted a photograph of themselves with their arms around one another as they stood beside their daughter's cot in hospital.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Dani shared her 'insurmountable' grief and said she and Dan both felt 'honoured' to be Billie's parents.
They wrote: 'Billie Vera Reilly 8/12/24 - 18/12/24. It is with insurmountable grief that we share the news that our daughter Billie, has passed on from this life and into the next at just 10 days young.
'In Billie's short time in this world, she taught us an intensity of both love and pain we never knew possible. She taught us what really matters.
'Billie was so wanted, so loved and she made us parents… and what an honour it is to be her mummy and daddy. She will always be our daughter.
'It's clear to us that Billie was far too good for this world but if we know anything for sure, it's that Billie's legacy will make an impact greater than all of us.
'Thank you @mrskevinsphotos for capturing such beautiful family photos for us and also for @heartfelt_ausnz for capturing many of Billie's firsts.'
The couple first hit national attention when they appeared on the 2012 series of The Block.
The pair, who were dating at the time, took out second place honours and a profit of $448,000.
The pair returned in 2013 for The Block All Stars series, walking away with third place and a profit of $220,000.
Dan has since taken on a role as foreman on the show and they also host the Dan vs Dani series, critiquing each team's Room Reveals every week.
The couple tied the knot in 2018 in an intimate ceremony on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.