Reality TV

EXCLUSIVE: House Rules host Jamie Durie’s tears over his mum

The TV presenter couldn’t help but break down on set.
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Victoria’s Bradley McLennan signed on for House Rules as a way to finally give back to his mother Lenore McDermid, after she single-handedly raised him and his siblings.

And during an emotional scene that saw Bradley, 31, and Lenore, 55, hand over the keys to their family home, teary host Jamie Durie realised just how much his childhood mirrored Bradley’s.

“I’ve never cried so much in my whole entire life,” Bradley tells Woman’s Day of the onscreen moment.

“Handing over the keys, to virtually a new home, it’s something you can never imagine doing for your mum.”

Jamie was moved by Bradley’s story.

(Image: Channel Seven)

Touching moment

While Bradley’s emotional speech caused “spa-fulls of tears” to be shed among the contestants, it was host Jamie who was hit the hardest.

“Jamie pulled me to the side and said how he understood the bond I have with my mother because he had a similar upbringing,” says Bradley.

“We hugged it out. It was very, very special.”

From thereon, the duo forged a strong bond, with Bradley calling 49-year-old Jamie the most “down-to-earth and caring human” he’s ever met.

“I’ve never cried so much in my entire life,” said Bradley.

(Image: Channel Seven)

The landscape gardener has always been vocal about praising his mother Joy, who raised him and his older brother Chris on her own after she split from their father Dave when Jamie was just 10.

“Mum and I have always been close and [after my parents split] we moved to the Gold Coast to be closer to my maternal grandparents. That was a nice period in my life,” says Jamie.

Not only did Jamie inherit his green thumb from his mother, but he credits her for his flourishing career in landscape and design.

“My love of gardening comes from Mum. [When we lived at] Tom Price [in WA], she somehow managed to grow red roses in that dusty red outback dirt.

“While I didn’t explore gardening until later in life, my decision to do so came from those early days. Mum planted the seed,” Jamie reveals.

“I owe a lot to her for my career.”

WATCH BELOW: House Rules contestants Dave and Tanya see their stunning home transformation. Story continues…

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Dave & Tanya: ‘We’re suing!’

They’ve been portrayed as the feisty villains of the show, but a source tells Woman’s Day that WA contestants Tanya and Dave Dawes are fighting back over what they claim is an “unfair edit”.

“They’re really unhappy with the way they’ve been portrayed,” says a show insider.

“They were painted as the villains from fairly early on, and are angry because they feel like they’re being misrepresented.”

The source reveals the duo, who “are more than a little disgruntled”, are currently weighing up their legal options.

The WA couple are upset with their portrayal on the show.

(Image: Channel Seven)

Dave’s Bachelor past revealed!

While he’s found nationwide fame on House Rules, Dave, 36, is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2010 he was a finalist in Cleo’s Bachelor of the Year Award.

Favourite Dave was up against some big names including Curtis Stone and Firass Dirani, however, a questionable answer in his “about me” profile raised eyebrows.

When asked how his dating ad would read, Dave said, “Male, 26, seeks same-age female for fun, discreet times.”

Dave was a Bachelor of the year finalist in 2010.

(Image: Cleo/ Bauer Syndication)

Want more House Rules content? Check out these links below!

EXCLUSIVE: Jamie Durie opens up on the toughest challenge in House Rules history

Meet the House Rules: High Stakes contestants for 2020

A complete timeline of Jamie Durie’s entire romantic history

EXCLUSIVE: House Rules: High Stake’s new host Abbey Way admits the job has been a challenge

Channel Seven reveals cast shake-up for House Rules in 2020

EXCLUSIVE: Why Kyly Clarke is feeling the pressure thanks to her new House Rules judging gig

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