The latest episode of The Block saw tensions reach an all-time high after Scott Cam’s ultimatum about contestants budgets lead to speculation of a mass walk-out.
When the teams received the news that they had less money than they thought earlier in the episode, frustrations began to boil over.
A tearful Tess claimed that she didn’t believe their house could be completed under the budget and insinuated that she and partner Luke might be done after this week.
WATCH: Scott Cam asks The Block contestants if they want to quit
“Honestly this is our last room, we can’t do any more rooms after this because I refuse to hand over a room that has nothing in it,” she told Mark.
“I’ve got no comment,” El’ise said from her unfinished kitchen.
“This is [bleep] bull—t. I don’t actually see how anyone is going to finish this. It’s huge. You know you’re just spending money on labour with that 250 [thousand].”
“Did you see the demo we had to do? The first day we did demo it was me, Jesse and two people, that was it,” Mel added as she joined Mark and Tess.
“They said to me, ‘Cut back on your spending,’ and I thought I’m not having an argument with you because last week Mitch spent $300,” Mark noted.
“That’s what he spent, everything else was sponsor!”
Mel agreed, adding. “And they do know that because they can see our accounts.”
In another diary cam clip, Mel confirmed that the contestants were frustrated and upset with the realisation that their homes will not be finished.
“If all goes to pot we can go. What if all of us refused one week and said we’re not doing any of it,” Mark whispered to the girls.
The contestants appeared to be considering a walkout to spare themselves the humiliation of having incomplete rooms.
“We haven’t chewed through our budget irrationally,” Tess said.
“No, no one has, they just didn’t give you the right amount of money for a house this size,” said Mel.
“We’re looking like the d—heads on TV that don’t know how to spend money and we’re gonna be handing over unfinished rooms,” Tess complained.
The teams also gathered outside The Block in the alley behind the houses to discuss leaving altogether.
However, when Scott confronted the contestants, they appeared to have calmed down.
“Gang, I’ve heard what everybody has been saying over the last couple of days, all the moaning about your dwindling budgets,” the TV host said.
“Whinging about it is not going to get you anywhere, especially behind my back. So, I’m standing right here, let’s do this. What’s the problem? Give it to me,” he added.
“We don’t have enough money,” Jesse spoke up.
“So I’m gonna ask the question because I’ve heard the rumours and I’ve heard the statements being made and this is a serious question: Does anybody want to quit the game?” he probed.
“Because if you do, the door is there. No one’s holding you back. Does anybody want to go? We’ve done eight spaces — if you think you can’t hack it, it’s probably best you go home.”
No-one chose to leave.
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