'The Block': Where are they now
It all began with a dilapidated block in Bondi with heartthrob Jamie Durie at the helm. Now, 14 seasons later, Australia’s favourite renovation show The Block is back. With only days to go before the unveiling of The Gatwick in Melbourne, let’s take a look back and see what previous winners are up to.
Carpenter Josh, 29, and his model girlfriend Elyse, 25, pulled off the show-stopping mezzanine in last year’s series and now they’re on to even bigger things. Elyse just became a Myer Ambassador and has gone from Block contestant to travel presenter on Postcards. The couple sold their own property in Coburg soon after The Block for a record price and have just launched their own business J&E Projects.
The infamous Bloctagon champions Dean and Shay took home the trophy in Season 11 with their spectacular Penthouse renovation. The Newcastle couple sold the breathtaking apartment for $2.3million and coined a massive $655,000 profit. Since leaving the show they have welcomed a second child – a boy called Vinnie – who was born last year. Loving being a mum, Shay now runs an Instagram page called The Earthy Mumma and runs seminars about low tox living and nourishing your body.
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After their 2015 Block win, Melbourne couple Dea and Darren Jolly recently completed another renovation on a 4-bedroom Kew East home which saw several hundred people turn up to witness the auction. The formerly bulldozed property sold for a whopping $2.9million. Dea, who now writes for property website Domain.com is keen to keep renovating. “We’ll definitely be looking for a new project,” she says. “We haven’t bought yet but we have got our eye on a few things, so definitely watch this space.”
Chantelle Ford and Steve O’Donnell sadly broke up after winning The Block in 2014. But it hasn’t stopped either of them from succeeding – albeit in different ways. Steve got over the break up by hitting the gym and getting a six-pack while Chantelle is now creative director of Ford Millinery where she designs and creates custom made hats, fascinators and other headwear.
The Block: Gatwick premieres Sunday August 5 on NINE
