Rumours are swirling that The Block’s showrunners are considering a celebrity edition for an upcoming season, with various Married At First Sight stars apparently eyed to join the cast.
The reports come courtesy of an insider at The Daily Mail Australia, who recently claimed that The Block producers are toying with the idea of assembling an all-celebrity cast for a forthcoming instalment of the renovation reality show.
While it’s not yet known which season would be the celebrity edition — be it next year or even further down the road — the insider listed a bunch of names who are rumoured to be atop showrunners’ lists, including MAFS alums Martha Kalifatidis and Michael Brunelli.
The pair appeared on season six of the dating show back in 2019, and according to the insider, their names have been floated internally to return to screens for The Block’s celebrity edition.
However, the source claimed Kalifatidis and Brunelli — who are still together years after their MAFS stint — are unlikely to sign on for The Block’s celebrity edition, but didn’t reveal why.
In lieu of that couple, the insider claimed that fellow MAFS castmates Dave Hand and Al Perkins — who appeared on season 12 and nine, respectively — are also being courted for the starry edition of The Block.
Coincidentally enough, Hand made a brief cameo on the current season of The Block, though he appeared alongside foreman Dan Reilly as a tradie, not an official contestant.
It’s not just reality stars who are in contention for this rumoured The Block shakeup, with the source also naming Hamish Blake, Andy Lee, and Olympic legend Cathy Freeman as prospective contestants for the upcoming season.
“They’re seeking instantly recognisable personalities who will bring charisma and energy to the build,” the insider claimed.
“They want Australians who’ve earned their place in the spotlight, who are respected, and who’ll roll up their sleeves and have fun with it.”
Since it’s a celebrity version, the source claimed the auction proceeds from the instalment of The Block will go to charity, instead of directly to the contestants like on regular seasons.
It was one of multiple details revealed by the insider, who also claimed that producers have already nabbed the next location for The Block’s 2026 season — apparently securing a development site in Mount Eliza in Victoria.
It’s not yet known whether that location will be home to the celebrity edition or whether the stars will wield their hammers in a future season beyond 2026.
While we’ll have to wait and see whether a celebrity version of the show actually comes to fruition, it’s not the only report that’s been churned out by the The Block rumour mill, with speculation flying that host Scott Cam is feuding with high-profile bidder Adrian Portelli.
Whatever the case, if Kalifatidis does make it onto the show, she can at least switch out a wine glass for a screwdriver.
