How The Block couples are surviving the show’s ‘relationship curse’ as Daily Mail looks back at the marriages the series ripped apart – including one VERY nasty divorce

The Block isn’t just about renovations, budgets and auctions – for many contestants, it’s also the ultimate test of love.

With long hours, relentless stress and cameras capturing every moment, relationships can be pushed to breaking point.

This year’s couples told Daily Mail that while the process was the hardest thing they’d ever done, it actually brought them closer together—a stark contrast to the long list of romances that have crumbled under the so-called ‘Block curse’.

Police officers Britt and Taz said nothing could have prepared them for the mental toll. 

‘We do really tough things within our job,’ Britt admitted.

‘However, this was also probably without a doubt the toughest thing we’ve ever done.’

The couple said leaving their kids behind was the most difficult challenge, but insisted the show made them stronger. 

‘Normally, if we have an argument, I’ll say, “talk to me in one to two business days,” but on the show you can’t – you have to get over things quickly,’ Britt explained.

Taz added: ‘We’ve been together 10 years, but there were still things she did that surprised me. We’d sit in the caravan at night and talk through everything. It probably made us better.’

Same-sex couple Han and Can said their relationship blossomed under pressure. 

‘It made us even stronger,’ Han revealed.

‘Knowing we had each other’s back 100 per cent every step of the way… our relationship has blossomed after The Block.’

They joked that their love had accelerated in ‘Block time’. 

‘We’ve been together 18 months, but in Block time it feels like 20 years,’ Can laughed. 

Victorian couple Emma and Ben confessed there were moments when they considered walking away.

‘There were periods where you thought, oh, I could just pack my bags and head home,’ Ben said.

Ultimately, the grind strengthened their bond. 

‘We’ve definitely come out stronger after 12 weeks,’ Emma said. 

‘It was nice spending every day together – we’ve never hung out that much before.’

Meanwhile, Robby and Mat leaned on humour to survive.

‘We made sure we laughed every day – that was the main priority,’ Robby said.

Rather than storm off in frustration, they poked fun at themselves. ‘We just took the p**s out of ourselves and everyone else,’ Mat said.

After 14 years together and three kids, Sonny and Alicia made a pact to always back each other.

‘We’re gonna argue, but we need to get over those arguments,’ Sonny explained.

Alicia added: ‘We argue anyway at home, but that’s how we roll. We just wanted to make sure that we were always both okay and on each other’s team.’

Asked what the experience did to their marriage, Sonny replied: ‘We’ve come out stronger.’

Over the years, several couples from The Block have seen their relationships tested on camera and beyond.

While some emerged stronger, others sadly fell victim to what fans dub ‘The Block curse’, ending in break-ups or breakdowns.

Deanne & Darren Jolly (2014 & 2015)

Deanne and Darren Jolly’s split is considered the nastiest among all the former Block contestants. 

Known for their fiery clashes, the Jollys became reality TV icons, but behind the scenes, their marriage unravelled. 

They broke up in 2019 after 13 years together, with Deanne later admitting she was blindsided. 

In a statement to the Herald Sun in 2019, she confirmed the pair’s acrimonious split and claimed Darren was the one who instigated it.

‘This is a very difficult time for me and my girls. We have been blindsided and left devastated by Darren’s actions. But I’m focusing on my two daughters, who are my number one priority,’ she said at the time.

Following their break-up, the exes were locked in a bitter custody battle and Darren even contemplated suicide.

He claimed on Instagram in October 2020 he hadn’t been in contact with his two daughters, Scarlett and Lily, since splitting from Deanne.

‘I’m done, the unbearable pain of not seeing my beautiful girls… is too much to cope with,’ he wrote.

‘Looking back through these photos broke what little I have left of my heart as it showed how much my girls loved me.

‘To my parents, my family, my friends, Lucy, I love you. To my girls, I’m sorry. My love will always be in your heart. Love Dad xx.’

But several weeks later things appeared to be looking up for the former AFL footballer. 

He went public with new girlfriend Lucy in November 2020, posting a loved-up selfie of the pair on holiday on Instagram.

Darren announced the birth of their daughter Olive in June 2022, posting a gallery of photos of himself and Lucy cuddling their bundle of joy in hospital.

Phil Rankine & Amity Dry (Season 1, 2003 and All Stars 2013)

Phil and Amity were the darlings of The Block’s very first season in 2003.

The married couple returned a decade later for The Block: All Stars – which they won – seemingly solid as ever.

That’s why fans were shocked when the pair quietly announced their split in 2018 after 15 years of marriage.

‘It was pretty hard, it was pretty awful,’ Amity said of their divorce, likening it to a death in the family.

Matt Martino & Jane Newton (Season 2, 2004)

Matt and Jane made headlines for actually tying the knot during filming of The Block’s second season – a first for the show. 

But the honeymoon didn’t last, with the pair later divorcing.

Steven Starkey & Richard Sterry (Season 2, 2004)

One of the show’s earliest same-sex couples, Steven and Richard struggled after their house failed to meet reserve and walked away with no profit. 

The financial and emotional toll ultimately saw them part ways.

Madi & Jarrod Coppock (All Stars 2013)

Despite banking $291,000 in profit, Madi and Jarrod’s marriage didn’t last beyond the show. 

They divorced the following year, moving on quickly to new relationships.

Steve O’Donnell & Chantelle Ford (Fans vs Faves 2014)

Winners of their season, Steve and Chantelle shocked fans when they split just 14 months after their victory, proving that even prize money can’t save a relationship strained by the cameras.

Whitney Nolan & Andrew Simmons (2015)

Dubbed ‘The Sweethearts’ of their season, Whitney and Andrew’s relationship didn’t survive the experience. 

They split before the finale even aired, saying the pressure was simply too much.

Tim & Anastasia Ielasi (2015)

Their dramatic storm-off became one of The Block’s most memorable meltdowns.

But against the odds, the couple stayed together, later launching their own building business.

Sara & Hayden Vale (2018)

Despite frequent clashes and Sara revealing Hayden ‘threatened to divorce me several times,’ the couple stayed together and went on to welcome another child after the show.

Jess Eva & Norm Hogan (2018)

The much-loved pair quietly split in 2021 after years together, but stunned fans by continuing to live together as best friends while raising their two kids.

Tess & Luke Struber (2019)

They called the show the ‘honeymoon from hell’, but the Cairns couple ended up winning $730,000 – and are still happily married today.