Love Island contestants head to The Block for new ‘Fans v Faves’ format
Nine’s long-running renovation program The Block is set to return for a 17th season, bringing a new twist with new contestants pitted against past Blockheads from previous seasons.
Three new pairs are set to take on two sets of returning all-star couples, with the series taking place in Hampton, Melbourne. The setting will be a traditional Aussie cul-de-sac, a first for the program.
The returning favourites are Perth’s Ronnie (45) and Georgia (37) from the 2017 Elsternwick series, and Sydney couple Mitch (58) and Mark (59) from the 2019 Oslo series.
They’ll go up against Melbourne parents Tanya (39) and Vito (44), and country music kids Kirsty (32) and Jesse (31) from Wangi Wangi in regional NSW. Finally, identical twins Josh and Luke (27) who appeared on Love Island Australia 2019 will round out the numbers. Last season’s winner of The Block was watched by 1.792 million metro viewers.
The Block 2021 Cast
For the first time, there will be no house plans for the contestants to use. Instead, they’ll have to design the layouts and inclusions of their houses, as well as complete the renovations.
Executive producer and co-creator Julian Cress, said the new format has brought a renewed competitive spirit to the program.
“Putting Block Fans up against experienced all-star Faves could have gone in any direction. On the very first day of filming this series, these Blockheads started to argue with each other in a way we had never seen before,” Cress said.
“The competitive spirit of both the fans and the faves in this high-pressure build with no plans takes things to a new level week after week and I can’t wait for audiences to see that.”
Scott Cam returns for his 15th season as host, and he’ll be joined by co-host, Shelley Craft, site foremen Keith and Dan, and judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer.
Cam said: “Expect the unexpected. This build was extremely tough to plan and work out where things would go for many of our contestants because of this new twist. The plans have been thrown out the window and it leads to plenty of stuff-ups!
“The Fans have everything to gain and the Faves have reputations to uphold. This will be a dramatic showdown like we have never seen before.”
The winner will again take home $100,000 plus whatever profits their home can make on auction day.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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Julian Cress
Love Island
Love Island Australia
Nine
Scott Cam
The Block
The Block: Fans v Faves
