Latest news with #NealeWhitaker
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Block judge joins rival Channel 7 series My Reno Rules: 'Can't wait'
He's been a much-loved part of The Block since its revival in 2010, but Neale Whitaker surprised fans on Friday morning when he announced that he's officially leaving the reality show to join Channel 7's rival renovation series. The style icon will appear on the judging panel for the upcoming competition program, My Reno Rules. Neale, who also hosts Love It or List It Australia alongside Andrew Winter, will be joined by top buyer's agent and Luxe Listings Sydney star Simon Cohen, and the founder of Greenhouse Interiors, Julia Green. He shared in a statement from the network that he is 'thrilled' to be joining a show that will 'truly redefine renovation TV'. 'Along with Simon and Julia, I get to share my experience with a new generation of Aussie renovators in one of my favourite cities,' he said. 'I can't wait to see the creative and innovative ideas our teams bring to the competition.' RELATED: The Block's Dan Reilly reveals major gripe about contestants: 'Fascinates me' The Block 2025 producers make major change after fan demand: 'Baffling' The Block host explains surprising reason behind Channel 9 show's new rule Why did Neale Whitaker quit The Block? Neale announced in May last year that he was stepping back from his long-term role on The Block to be with his partner, David, as he battled 'some serious health issues', but would still make guest appearances. He spoke openly about his decision to leave the series with Yahoo Lifestyle at the 2024 Logie Awards in August, admitting that it was 'time to move on'. 'Oh gosh, it was a big decision, but it was something that I had to do for my personal life,' he shared. 'After 13 years, it kind of felt like the timing was right. I gave it my best shot for all those years, and it was time to move on. 'It's always going to have a very special place for me, that show, always. And I think if I'm honest, I'll always feel like an honorary member of the show - I don't know whether they'll approve of that, but that's how I feel.' What is My Reno Rules? My Reno Rules is a brand-new renovation competition hosted by Dr Chris Brown and sponsored by Adrian Portelli, the billionaire who purchased all five homes on The Block 2024. Channel 7 announced the new series last month, describing it as 'a brand-new renovation competition that's raising the stakes and flipping the script with two epic twists set to transform the lives of everyday Aussies'. They said: 'My Reno Rules sees four hardworking teams of Aussie battlers going head-to-head, breathing new life into two neighbouring rundown houses in a picturesque Melbourne suburb. Their mission? To transform these properties into breathtaking homes for the chance to win life-changing prize money to secure their own futures.' The live grand final will then see two lucky Australians receive a call telling them they've both won a newly renovated, fully-furnished multi-million-dollar home. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Channel 7 (@channel7) The Block host reacts to rival series While the announcement came just days before The Block's twenty-first season premiered, host Shelley Craft told Yahoo Lifestyle she wishes Adrian all the best in his new venture. 'I was like, 'Oh, there he is!',' she shared about her reaction to the news. 'I was wondering, if he was leaving us behind, where was he going to publicise his next venture? So when I saw him pop up with that, I was like, 'Oh, there you go, that's great'. 'Obviously, his business has an incredible model of lotteries for different things, whether it's jet skis or homes or caravans. The way he's going about this, good luck to them.' Scott's message to rival renovation shows Shelley's comments echo those of Scott Cam, who told Yahoo Lifestyle in 2023 that he wished Dr Chris Brown all the best with his rival renovation series Dream Home, which was cancelled after one season. 'Stay off my turf, Browny!' Scott joked. 'Chris is a great mate of mine, and good luck to him. 'Competition is healthy, and if his show rates reasonably well, that means that people are still interested in this style of television. As soon as they stop watching other shows or our show, then that's the end of that style.' SHOP: 🛏️ Expert reveals secret to the best night's sleep: 'Wouldn't choose anything else' 🛒 Popular Coles product offers a 'simple switch' to up daily protein intake 🏉 Rugby fan's huge airport surprise after landing in Sydney: 'Surreal' He went on to say that he'd never wish 'bad luck' on anyone making TV because he knows firsthand how hard it is to do, adding: 'We don't want them to beat us, of course, if they go head to head, but we don't want them to dismally fail. I know what it's like.'
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Inside Seven's big Block poaching gamble for viewers
Channel 7 is raiding its rival's tool shed, and it's hard not to call it a Blockxodus. In a major reality TV shake-up, former The Block judge Neale Whitaker will front the 2026 season of My Reno Rules, jumping to Seven after more than a decade critiquing Nine's flagship renovation hit. He was replaced by Whitefox chief executive Marty Fox in 2023, with Whitaker guest appearing in the 2023 and 2024 seasons respectively. Joining him on the judging panel is Cohen Handler co-founder Simon Cohen – the same agency where fellow former Block buyers' advocate Nicole Jacobs is now managing director for Victoria. Ms Jacobs famously sold her own Hampton home, along with several of her neighbours' properties, to The Block in 2021. Interiors stylist Julia Green completes the line-up, bringing her bold, magazine-perfect designs and industry clout from years at the helm of her Greenhouse Interiors brand. Earlier this month Seven announced LMCT+ founder Adrian 'Lambo Guy' Portelli is stepping in as principal sponsor and will take the spotlight in the show's live grand final. Portelli made headlines last year splashing more than $27m on eight Block homes and gifting $50,000 to Sunrise host Alex Cullen in a stunt that ended the presenter's Nine career. For My Reno Rules, he will give away two multimillion-dollar homes to viewers in a finale Seven is banking on to rival The Block's Sunday auction night event. Industry sources say the 2026 season will see four teams transforming two rundown Melbourne homes under the watch of host Dr Chris Brown, competing for a major cash prize while viewers have the unprecedented chance to win one of the finished properties. Whitaker's defection is the most high-profile of the moves, while Cohen's professional link to Jacobs ties the series even more closely to Nine's property empire. The changes come as The Block faces its own challenges, with insiders pointing to softening property markets and the underperformance of spin-offs such as Listing Melbourne. While that show tried to channel the glamour of Luxe Listings Sydney where Cohen was a central figure, it never connected with audiences. An industry insider told the Herald Sun there was 'plenty of curiosity' about how the format will perform, but warned Seven faces a mammoth task. 'People are interested, but The Block is a juggernaut, it's been unbeatable for years and My Reno Rules has existed in various forms for over a decade,' the source said. 'This is a big swing, but whether it lands is another story. 'Seven's gamble is clear. Stack the line-up with personalities Block fans already know, add Portelli's high-octane profile, and hope the format finally hits its stride.' Meanwhile, the source revealed Mitre 10 is reportedly in talks to come on board as a major sponsor after being shunned by The Block in favour of Bunnings this year. A deal would give Seven another direct link to its rival's past, and the hardware chain a chance to reclaim prime time renovation turf it once dominated. My Reno Rules will air on Channel 7 in 2026.
Daily Mail
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Channel Nine star shocks industry as he sensationally quits flagship show in favour of rival network
The Block's Neale Whitaker has revealed his shock career move, one year after quitting the Channel Nine series. The interior design expert, 63, is set to appear as a judge on Channel Seven 's upcoming reality TV series My Reno Rules, hosted by Dr Chris Brown. 'I'm thrilled to be joining a show that will truly redefine renovation TV. I get to share my experience with a new generation of Aussie renovators in one of my favourite cities,' Neale said in a statement. 'I can't wait to see the creative and innovative ideas our teams bring to the competition.' My Reno Rules will see four teams of contestants completely renovate two existing properties, which are then given away to lucky viewers. It distinguishes itself from The Block in that the houses are not auctioned off, meaning contestants are working to their own style ideas instead of trying to appeal to buyers. The Block judge Neale Whitaker has revealed his shock career move, one year after quitting the Channel Nine series 'Contestants will be judged on quality of craftsmanship, execution and creativity,' Neale told Sunrise hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Shirvington on Friday. Neale will be part of a judging panel, alongside Top Buyer's Agent Simon Cohen and interior design specialist Julia Green. The series is set to air on Channel Seven and 7Plus next year. He won't be the only Block veteran on the show as last month it was reported that billionaire home buyer Adrian Portelli would also be joining the series. The 36-year-old entrepreneur, who has spent millions of dollars snapping up houses over the last three seasons, shared a post to social media revealing he was leaving the Channel Nine series for good. 'Bet my high school teachers never thought… I'D HAVE MY OWN TV SHOW,' he wrote alongside a promotional photo of him and Dr Chris Brown. 'The Reno games looking a little dusty. Time for a fresh coat. The gloves are off. My Reno Rules - Coming to Seven.' Seven recently announced the brand-new home renovation series, My Reno Rules, produced by MasterChef Australia creators Endemol Shine. Neale will be part of a judging panel, alongside Top Buyer's Agent Simon Cohen and interior design specialist Julia Green The show will feature four teams of renovators competing on two neighbouring rundown house. The teams are competing for a huge prize, with a live grand finale awarding two fully renovated and furnished properties. It comes after The Block host Scott Cam sent a warning to billionaire businessman Adrian Portelli ahead of the new season's premiere. Scott begged Portelli not to attend this year's auction to give others a chance to own a home. 'To be honest we said to Adrian "we'd love you not to come next year, if that's all right." But you know it's up to him it's a public auction and he can do whatever he wants,' he revealed on Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie. 'He said he won't come but he may. We don't know, but we do want to give mums and dads the opportunity to have a crack at a block house. 'If Adrian comes and wants to buy the lot of them, well, that rules them out,' Scott said. During the 2024 finale of The Block, Portelli made history by purchasing all five of the properties for a huge $15million.
