The Block star makes shock return to renovation show weeks after jumping ship to Channel Seven rival – and delivers brutal verdict during ‘bowl of pee’ bathhouse reveal

Neale Whittaker received a hero’s welcome when he returned to The Block this week, after announcing his defection to Channel Seven.

The interior design expert, 63, walked away from the Channel Nine series last year and, in August, revealed he would be part of Seven’s upcoming series My Reno Rules.

But there was no network rivalry on Wednesday, when host Scott Cam revealed Neale’s cameo to the contestants.

‘You have just completed the biggest challenge in Block history with the biggest prize attached to it,’ Scott told teams ahead of their individual bathhouse rooms at Hepburn Spa being judged.

Turning to co-host Shelly Craft, Scott continued: ‘I just realised, Shell, that I haven’t told you who is going to be judging it.’

‘He was actually the longest-serving judge on the show. Please put your hands together for Mr Neale Whittaker.’

Neale then received a rousing reception from the teams, who were keen to hear the design expert’s take on their spa rooms.

However, teammates Han and Can might’ve wished Neale hadn’t made his surprising cameo after his brutally honest assessment of their spa room. 

He slammed the effort as ‘jarring’, while likening the result to a ‘crime scene’, not helped by a bath that was filled with yellow-coloured water – a feature of all teams’ baths.

‘These types of bathrooms need to be a very quiet experience. This is the complete opposite: Everything in here is jarring,’ he said.

‘I haven’t said this for a very long time, but this is a crime scene. 

‘There’s too much going on in here… you cannot relax in here.  It’s too much… It’s a mess, and it’s everything a spa experience shouldn’t be.’

Viewers also took to social media to voice their displeasure over the oddly coloured water featured in the baths.

One offered: I know it’s natural spring water, but yikes, it doesn’t look good in the bath.’

Another asked: ‘Why is the water pee coloured?’ while a third chimed in with: ‘A bowl of pee… ground breaking.’  

Prior to Neale’s less-than-stellar assessment, the couple admitted that their room had raised some eyebrows.

‘A few people have stuck their heads in and thought “OMG”,’ Han said.

‘Look, we did what we did, we stayed true to ourselves. The Art Deco vibe is well and truly alive, if not taken right back into the Italian playboy era.’

‘It’s giving a lot.’

Evidently, their spa room was giving much more than Neale’s eyes could handle. Neale revealed his defection to Seven in August, one year after parting ways with The Block. 

Revealing that he was to be a part of Channel Seven’s hopeful Block killer My Reno Rules, Neale said he was excited at the prospect.

‘I’m thrilled to be joining a show that will truly redefine renovation TV. I get to share my experience with a new generation of Aussie renovators in one of my favourite cities,’ Neale said in a statement. 

‘I can’t wait to see the creative and innovative ideas our teams bring to the competition.’ 

Hosted by Dr Chris Brown, My Reno Rules will see four teams of contestants completely renovate two existing properties, which are then given away to lucky viewers.

It distinguishes itself from The Block in that the houses are not auctioned off, meaning contestants are working to their own style ideas instead of trying to appeal to buyers.

Neale will be part of a judging panel, alongside top buyer’s agent Simon Cohen and interior design specialist Julia Green.

He won’t be the only Block veteran on the show, as last month it was reported that billionaire home buyer Adrian Portelli would also be joining the series.

The series is set to air on Channel Seven and 7Plus next year.