The Block will feature All-Star appearances in the 20th anniversary season this year, but insiders have revealed they struggled to find teams who wanted to return.
One source told Daily Mail recently that the returning cast members the network managed to nab were ‘disappointing’ compared to earlier teams.
Meanwhile, some former contestants from the show’s heyday said the show ‘isn’t what it once was’, while others didn’t want to ‘revisit trauma’.
‘They only managed to go back as far as 2012 in regard to signing up previous Blockheads,’ one insider said.
‘The early season’s participants were not interested in returning… There will be no appearances from the first 4 seasons contestants.
‘That’s a pretty disappointing omission when you look at this being a 20th birthday celebration.’
‘The answer was “no” from those who had been on the show as far back as 2003. They just didn’t get much interest from those phone calls.
‘Even the returning contestants aren’t the most exciting. It is clear they just made do with what they had.’
The Block will feature All-Star appearances in the 20th anniversary season this year, but insiders have revealed they struggled to find teams who wanted to return. Pictured: hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft
The Block 2024, which has been filmed on Phillip Island, will welcome back 11 teams from eight different seasons, with the earliest being 2012.
Some of the original stars invited back include Dale and Sophie Vine from 2012, Michael and Carlene Duffy, and Kyal and Kara Demmrich – both from 2014.
However, the source pointed out that it was odd not to have the likes of fan-favourites Gavin ‘Gav’ Atkins and Warren ‘Waz’ Sonin or Amity Dry.
‘Dale and Sophie came fourth in their series in 2012 which was filmed on Dorcas St in the inner city of Melbourne’s south,’ they said.
‘The Victoria couple are hardly stand out personalities in the overall run of the renovation series. You would expect to see Gav and Waz or Amity Dry. Surely.’
One source revealed to Daily Mail recently that the returning cast members the network managed to nab were ‘disappointing’ compared to earlier teams. Pictured: season one stars Amity Dry with her now ex husband Phil Rankine in 2005
Meanwhile, some former contestants from the show’s heyday said the show ‘isn’t what it once was’, while others didn’t want to ‘revisit trauma’. Pictured: cast of season one with former host Jamie Durie in 2003
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However, the source went on to say that Nine struggled to get any of the more popular teams from the earlier seasons to return to the show.
‘The feeling was allegedly mutual from the alumni features between 2003 and 2010. The show has changed a lot since back then,’ the insider added.
‘It is no longer as much about the renovation, it is more about the drama that goes on between the houses.
‘I don’t even think the early contestants would work in the format that is still one of Channel Nine’s biggest success stories.’
To back these claims, one pair of anonymous contestants said: ‘The show isn’t what it once was and truth be told most contestants don’t keep up watching the show.
‘Once you have seen how the show is made it feels more like revisiting trauma rather than revisiting a cherished memory.’
‘They only managed to go back as far as 2012 in regard to signing up previous Blockheads. The early season’s participants were not interested in returning,’ one insider said. Pictured: season one favourites Gavin ‘Gav’ Atkins and Warren ‘Waz’ Sonin in 2003
Meanwhile, some of the couples from earlier seasons seem to be more happy living their lives without the stress of appearing on reality TV again.
A close friend of couple Gav and Waz from series one said they refused to return to the show because ‘they aren’t really interested in appearing on TV these days’.
‘They are just happy living their best lives under the radar.’
Due to the lack of worthwhile returning contestants, it was said Nine producers were forced to ‘pivot’ from the idea of doing an All-Stars only season.
Instead, the renovation show will feature select teams from more recent years in a different aspect as they help the new contestants build a secret project.
A close friend of couple Gav and Waz from series one said they refused to return to the show because ‘they aren’t really interested in appearing on TV these days’. ‘They are just happy living their best lives under the radar’
Among the returning contestants, fans can expect to see 2023 winners Steph and Gian Ottavio along with 2022 record-breakers Omar Slaimankhel and Oz Said.
The star-studded group will be made up of 11 teams from eight different seasons, including season 19 favourites Eliza and Liberty Paschke.
Season 18 stars Tom and Sarah-Jane Calleja will also make a return, as well as Ronnie and Georgia Caceres who competed on season 13 and 17.
Winners from the 2020 season Jimmy and Tam Wilkins will also participate, along with Andy and Deb Saunders who competed in 2019.
Rounding it out are Kyal and Kara Demmrich (2014), Michael and Carlene Duffy (2014), Dale and Sophie Vine (2012), and Alisa and Lysandra Fraser (2013 and 2014).
Daily Mail have reached out to Nine for comment.