The Block’s judging panel could be headed for its biggest shake-up in years. Insiders reveal Nine is quietly testing fresh faces, and Darren Palmer, 48, and Marty Fox, 38, may have the most to worry about.
Sources say there is growing interest behind the scenes in introducing a younger “culture expert”, who can speak to the next generation of Australian home buyers.
Matty “J” Johnson, who appeared on the show this season with wife Laura Byrne this season, is reportedly one of the names in the running.
The former Bachelor star has spent the years since reality television quietly reinventing himself as one of Australia’s most likeable media personalities.
“Matty is funny, but he’s also not afraid to say when he doesn’t like something,” says the source.
More importantly, at 39, Matty could offer the show a connection to younger buyers and viewers that Nine is keen to cultivate.
‘She could almost be Scotty Cam’s boss’: Shaynna ‘deeply embedded’ in The Block
Of the current trio, sources say Shaynna Blaze appears to have the least reason to be nervous.
After more than a decade on The Block, Shaynna is deeply embedded in the franchise, with business interests connected to the show and her children also having worked across the production.
“With money in Cavalier Productions, who produce the show, Shaynna is not only deeply embedded in the franchise as a judge but also financially. She even likes to joke that she could almost be Scotty Cam’s boss,” says the industry insider.
“She’s part of The Block family,” adds the source. “As long as Shaynna wants to be there, you would imagine that chair is hers.”
The Block judges shake up for 2027
That leaves Darren Palmer and Marty Fox potentially battling for their place if Nine ultimately decides three judges with overlapping design and property credentials is one expert too many.
There is no suggestion either man has done anything wrong. In fact, insiders stress the current judges get along extremely well.
And that might actually be part of the problem.
Producers are said to be interested in creating more genuine debate between the judges rather than having three experts arrive at broadly similar conclusions.
“The best judging panels have some tension,” says the source. “Not nasty tension but different opinions.”
“You want one person saying, ‘This is beautifully designed,’ and someone else saying, ‘Maybe, but I’m 35 with two kids and I would never buy it.’ That’s the conversation viewers can have at home.”
“The boys are great at what they do, but there’s a feeling they occupy similar territory,” an insider tells Woman’s Day.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Share this post