There were plenty of big moments at this year’s The Block 2026 auctions, but one of the biggest surprises came from the auctioneer selling Rick and Tayla’s House Five.
At just 22, Ryan King became the youngest auctioneer in the show’s history. And while Scotty Cam initially questioned whether the young gun knew what he was doing, Ryan quickly won over the room with his confidence, quick wit and auctioneering skills.
He helped push Rick and Tayla‘s home to $4.355 million, giving the father-daughter team a $905,000 profit. He even celebrated by jumping into the pool with the pair after the sale.
And viewers at home were just as impressed. After the finale, fans took to social media to praise Ryan, with many declaring him the standout auctioneer of the day.
So, who is the young real estate agent who had everyone talking?
Who is The Block’s Ryan King?
Ryan is a 22-year-old auctioneer and agent with Ash Marton Realty in Frankston, Victoria. He started his real estate career at just 18, initially joining McGrath before moving to Ash Marton Realty.
He also won a novice Victorian auctioneering competition before stepping into the role full-time. Now, just a few years into his career, he’s made his national television debut on one of Australia’s biggest reality shows.
And it seems his age was just as surprising to Scotty as it was to viewers.
When Ryan appeared ahead of Rick and Tayla’s auction, Scotty couldn’t help but comment on how young he looked.
“He looks 12!” Scott joked, before adding, “Sorry, 12 and a half. Does he know what he’s doing?”
But Ryan didn’t let the comment throw him. Instead, he got straight to work and delivered one of the most entertaining auctions of the day.
Ryan King stole the show at Rick and Tayla’s auction
Ryan quickly found his rhythm, keeping the bidding moving while trading playful banter with some of the show’s familiar buyers.
When Danny Wallis made one of his trademark unusual bids, Ryan responded with a tongue twister: “Peter Parker also picked a picker pickled peppers.”
He also had a cheeky exchange with buyer’s advocate Frank Valentic, joking about his “muscular legs”.
The crowd loved it, but Ryan also knew when to keep the pressure on. After a competitive bidding battle, he brought the hammer down at $4.355 million, securing Rick and Tayla a $905,000 profit.
And there was one more promise to keep. After buyer’s agent Andrew Date joked that he would bid again if Ryan agreed to jump in the pool, the young auctioneer followed through once the sale was done.
It was a pretty memorable way to make his The Block debut.
The Block fans can’t get enough of Ryan
Ryan’s performance clearly made an impression on viewers, with fans flooding social media with praise after the auction finale.
“Legend. Block history made. Even got bagged by Scotty. Well done,” one viewer wrote.
Another declared him the best auctioneer of the day, commenting: “He did an amazing job! I think he was the pick of all the auctioneers last night.”
Others praised his professionalism and predicted a bright future for the young auctioneer.
“You did a brilliant job Ryan… A big future ahead for you,” one fan wrote.
Another said: “He was the best! So refreshing and unique.”
And, naturally, plenty of viewers couldn’t resist bringing Scotty’s age joke back into the conversation.
“Scotty can eat his words,” one fan commented, while another joked that the host was simply getting older because everyone starts looking younger as you age.
One viewer summed up the reaction, calling Ryan an absolute “Rock Star” who was “polite, professional, engaging” and knew how to get the most out of the bidders.
At 22, Ryan has already made quite an impression on The Block. And if his first appearance is anything to go by, this probably won’t be the last we hear of him.
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