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Sky News AU
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
The Block 2025: Grim 'reality' of renovation series exposed as leaked photos show homes 'identical' to 2022 season, less drama among Blockheads
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.
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Has The Block gone bland? Leaked photos of one home in the upcoming 2025 series show it is VERY similar to a previous season - but one major twist is revealed
With the new season of The Block just around the corner, fans are gearing up to see what the fresh batch of renovators come up with in this year's location - the sleepy Victorian hamlet of Daylesford. But leaked photos of one of the completed homes reveal the upcoming 2025 installment has a very similar aesthetic to a previous season of the show. While Nine is remaining tight-lipped on the official name, whispers around the network suggest the new series could easily be branded as a sequel to the 2022 'Tree Change' season, which was set in Gisborne in the Macedon Ranges - just a short drive from this year's location. 'Honestly, the style and finish of the homes are nearly identical to what we saw in Tree Change,' the insider said. 'Same vibe, same tones, same country-chic energy.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Indeed, leaked photos of one completed property by same-sex couple Han and Can show a lot similarities, in particular the furniture. One image shows a living space complete with a large white modular lounge that takes pride of place in the room. The piece of furniture is almost identical to the couches which appeared in both Ankur and Sharon and Rachel and Ryan's living rooms back in 2022. Han and Can's living room is augmented by a plush feature wall to the rear of the lounge as well as beige curtains and some mood lighting. Meanwhile, other images show an equally spartan-yet-stylish open plan kitchen and living space, complete with a large fireplace encased in a marble feature wall. The kitchen appears to be an entertainer's delight, with the space boasting a large wine rack and a refrigerator specifically for wine. Despite being similar to the 2022 season, a production insider told Daily Mail Australia that the couple's luxe fit out was very 'on trend' for the location. 'It's sleek, chic and very on-brand for Daylesford,' they said. Images show an open plan kitchen and living space, complete with a large fireplace encased in a marble feature wall The kitchen also appears to be an entertainer's delight The series, which wrapped filming on June 1, is set to premiere slightly earlier than usual, with a launch tipped for the first week of August. While fans have come to expect fiery feuds and over-the-top drama, insiders say this season is shaping up to be very different. 'There's actually much less conflict this year,' one well-placed 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.' However, the source added that not everyone is convinced that producers have fully tapped into the healthy holistic living vibe Daylesford is known for. 'There was a lot of talk early on that the season might embrace living off the land, healthy eating and holistic living, which the town is so well known for,' the insider said. 'But in reality, the houses are still very much classic Block homes.' It comes as Nine unveiled its first look at the new series, in a teaser clip that aired during Wednesday night's State Of Origin coverage. The clip showed hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft (pictured) driving Block-themed big rigs The clip showed hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft driving Block-themed big rigs in a convoy to the new locale. 'This year, we've packed up the whole shebang, and we're heading for somewhere special,' Scott says in the clip. 'That's right Australia, I've found a cracker of a country town, you're gonna love and we're rolling in for a truckload of fun.' The clip then showed a shirtless Darren Palmer riding a majestic steed along rolling pastures. 'Is that the Man From Snowy River,' judge Marty Fox asks, as co-star Shaynna Blaze replies: 'No, just Dan with his shirt off. Again.' The tongue-in-cheek preview also gives fans a first look at the 2025 Block teams - Emma and Ben, Han and Can, Robbie and Matt, Alicia and Sonny, and Britt and Taz. The teams were shown excitedly jumping out of Scott's big rig to promote what is promised to be the best Block season yet. 'Our convoy's rolling in to a cracker of a country town for the biggest Block ever!' a caption on the clip read. The post was met with a flurry of excited anticipation from fans with one offering: 'Another cracking promo team.' Another chimed in with a similar: 'Oh yeh! Can't wait for this one it's going to be mega!' While viewers may think they have already seen it all on the drama-packed reality TV show, the 2025 season will be injecting another never-before-seen twist. Contestants will have to build their luxury homes completely from scratch in a new plotline that is sure to inject even more tension into the already time-pressured and stressful builds. The 2025 season will take place in the central Victorian town of Daylesford, and contestants will reportedly have to use their talents to build their home from the ground up. Previously, Blockheads have been tasked with renovating an existing property or, in the case of the 2022 season, renovating homes that were shipped into the Gisborne site. In a huge challenge, the 2025 contestants will be required to complete the shell of a five-bedroom floor plan, including a study, living area and a garage. The properties will also include other lavish amenities including a covered outdoor area and a heated swimming pool. Daylesford was set to be the site of The Block's 2024 season, however production was eventually moved to Phillip Island following a planning dispute. The network was reportedly forced to cancel $500,000 worth of accommodation it had booked for the show's cast and crew. 'We've had so many successful series in so many different locations, but we don't go where we are not welcome,' a production insider told the Herald Sun at the time. In December, the application was finally approved by the Victorian Planning Minister to build five dwellings on a 2,000sqm block of land owned by Hygge Property. Daylesford is located 114km from Melbourne and its unique combination of natural beauty, historic charm and vibrant local culture provides a stunning backdrop ideal for the show.
