While fans of The Block eagerly await the nail-
biting grand final auctions, where it’s been
forecast that contenders could clear $3 million
each for their Elsternwick houses, host Scotty
Cam is dreading the day. ‘I’m feeling nervous
just talking about it,’ he says in the lead-up to
the October 28 date that’s been set for the five
houses to go under the hammer. ‘They work so
hard and I want them to make money. I don’t
want them to walk away with nothing.’
As in past seasons, the teams will win whatever
money is made over the reserve price, with the
renovators with the biggest sale pocketing an
additional $100,000. But as long-time viewers
know, a significant profit, or even a sale for that
matter, isn’t guaranteed and the hard-working
cast could walk away empty-handed after
12 weeks of back-breaking work. That thought
makes Scotty ‘sick to his stomach’.
‘It’s really intense... If you win $500,000, it’s
life-changing. It pays off your mortgage and puts
your kids through school. But then you could sit
there with a family with two kids, and they win
$5000 after three months of being away from
them – that’s pretty awkward. None of them
could sell and that’s the whole problem,’ he
confesses. ‘I’m always happy when it’s all over.’THE BLOCK HOST IS FEARFUL THAT THE SHOW
COULD HAVE A DISASTROUS OUTCOME
‘I’M WORRIED THAT
NO-ONE WILL SELL’
Watch The Block Sunday, 7pm, and
Monday-Tuesday, 7.30pm on Channel 9NEW BLOCK SHOCK
Good news for fans of the reno show: it’ll be back in
2018 ‘bigger’ than ever, shares Scotty. The overhaul
of St Kilda’s Gatwick Hotel will keep the next batch
of Blockheads busy – and sweaty. ‘We’re filming in
the middle of summer. It’s going to be punishing,’
says Scotty of the shocking work conditions in
store for the contenders. Council documents
say the site was snapped up for $10 million, while
proposed plans reveal it will be transformed into
eight apartments with the existing roof to be partly
demolished for a fourth floor and rooftop terraces.Scotty says he’s worried
‘sick’ some contestants
may walk away with next
to nothing on auction dayScotty confesses
TEXT BY CARRISSA LAWRIENOW
FUTURE