After becoming a fan favourite on last year’s season of The Block, one contestant has proudly announced they’re returning to the reality show in 2026. Mat Johnson, who competed alongside his best mate Robby Lippett, told PEDESTRIAN.TV he’ll be a part of the upcoming 22nd season in Mount Eliza.
The new season began filming earlier this month with Scott Cam and Shelley Craft returning as hosts alongside judges Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Marty Fox. Details around Mat’s role on the 2026 season are still under wraps, with the hairdresser admitting that even he doesn’t know exactly what producers have planned.
“We’ve just been told, ‘Lock in the date’,” he told P.TV. “It could be anything.”
The Block has already locked in five brand new teams for the season, so Mat’s cameo will likely be tied to a star-studded challenge similar to previous years.
Mat’s new renovation project
Mat isn’t just dipping his toe back into The Block world either — he’s quietly plotting a whole new renovation show of his own.
After purchasing a literal church in Brinkworth, South Australia, in December for $250,000, he’s already in talks with Channel 9 about turning the renovation into a series.
But unlike the high-pressure, stopwatch-style madness of The Block, Mat’s vision is more like Grand Designs: slower, more personal and a chance to actually breathe while transforming the space into something seriously special.
“No one wants to hear ‘tools down’ ever again!” he joked.
And don’t expect him to go it alone, as Mat’s already lining up his dream cast.
His season 21 co-stars Sonny and Alicia Aplin are at the top of his wish list, and they’re apparently “keen as mustard” to get involved. Add in his ride-or-die Block partner Robby, and you’ve got the beginnings of a chaotic, chemistry-filled reno crew that feels less like a competition and more like a reality TV hangout we’d absolutely binge.
It’s still early days, but if this gets the green light, Mat could be building more than a home — he could be building his own TV empire.
Becoming a dad amidst the chaos
On top of his upcoming renovation project and return to TV, Mat is also adjusting to dad life after welcoming a son with his close friend Leah via IVF last year.
After years of trying to have a child together, Leah fell pregnant during the first week Mat was filming The Block and only told him the news when he returned home and she was 16 weeks pregnant.
Now, Mat is dad to baby Jack, and according to him, it’s completely changed everything.
“It’s given me a whole different purpose,” he said. “I never knew how much I needed to be a dad.”
It’s not just his personal life that’s shifted, as his priorities have also changed. After years of grinding and building his hairdressing business, Mat says he’s actively pulled back from work to focus on being present.
“I’ve worked myself to the bone for 20 years, but no one’s going to put on your tombstone, ‘He was a hard worker’,” he remarked. “I work less now. I want to be there.”
This time last year, Mat was just another contestant trying to survive The Block chaos. Now, he’s heading back with a baby, a completely new perspective and a side hustle renovating a church he bought over the phone mid-haircut.
Honestly? We are here for his new era.
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