The Block 2025: Grim 'reality' of renovation series exposed as leaked photos show homes 'identical' to 2022 season, less drama among Blockheads

Sky News AU

6 days ago

Nine insiders have exposed the grim "reality" of The Block 2025 before it airs, claiming the newly completed homes will be "identical" to those from the 2022 season, with a lot less drama among the Blockheads.
Channel Nine's renovation series is expected to return to screens in early August, with a fresh round of Blockheads this year building homes from scratch, rather than renovating them, in the Victorian town of Daylesford.
Leaked photos show couple Han and Can's completed home has a very similar aesthetic to Rachel and Ryan's living room from the 2022 Tree Change season, particularly in terms of the furniture.
Han and Can's lounge features a very similar beige couch to the one seen in both Rachel and Ryan and Ankur and Sharon's living rooms in 2022.
Rumours at Nine suggest the new season, which the network has remained tight-lipped about, could be branded a sequel to Tree Change.
The past season of the top-rated show saw the contestants renovate five properties into luxury rural escapes on a 79-acre site in Gisborne South, located in Victoria's Macedon Ranges, near this year's location.
"Honestly, the style and finish of the homes are nearly identical to what we saw in Tree Change," an insider told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday.
"Same vibe, same tones, same country-chic energy."
Another well-placed insider quelled fans' hopes of some fiery encounters and heightened emotions among the contestants.
"There's actually much less conflict this year," the insider said.
"But that doesn't mean it's boring. There's a charm and warmth to this season that will surprise long-term fans."
The source also poured cold water over speculation the new homes would focus on living off the land, healthy eating, and holistic living—the lifestyle in Daylesford—and said they won't be markedly different at all.
"In reality, the houses are still very much classic Block homes," they said.
Can and Han's home, however, is set still apart from the rest through a plush beige wall facing the rear end of the couch.
Other leaked photos show an equally neutral yet opulent open-plan living and kitchen space, with a large fireplace encased in a marble wall.
The kitchen boasts a several-meter marble worktop and is fit for the avid entertainer.
The heart of the home also comes with a dedicated wine fridge and storage rack, as well as a makeshift mini-bar.
The development follows Channel Nine inadvertently putting itself in the firing line after revealing the new trailer for The Block last week.
In the teaser, Scotty Cam and Shelley Craft can be seen sounding the horns of two big red trucks en route to the new countryside location.
The co-hosts are joined by The Block's famous troupe, including former contestant turned foreman Dan Reilly and real estate agent Marty Fox.
Judge Darren Palmer also made a cameo appearance riding a horse shirtless and, in true county theme, declared, "Howdy man".
However, fans were quick to notice that Scotty and Shelley were not wearing seatbelts while driving the trucks and lashed out at the detail.
"Probably should have put ya seatbelts on," one viewer wrote.
Elsewhere in the trailer, the new 2025 Blockheads were introduced as Emma and Ben, Can and Han, Robby and Matt, Alicia and Sonny, and Brit and Taz, who happily jumped out of the back of one of the trailers.
Scotty said a "truckload of fun" awaited the contestants, who will undergo the tough job of building homes from scratch in a dramatic series first.
The move marks a pivotal step away from the previous series, in which the stars competed with each other by renovating a home for auction.
The premise remains that the couple who wins the highest price at auction receives a grand monetary prize to help set them up for life.
The Block has continuously built a strong lead in the prime-time TV ratings, surging ahead of Seven's My Kitchen Rules and The Voice.