The Block’s fabulous granddads Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie are embarking on a new adventure as hosts of Location, Location, Location Australia.
The couple, who have been together for nearly two decades, landed the plum gig after sending in a “dodgy” iPhone audition, making them the first same-sex couple to host a prime-time TV show in Australia.
Speaking on Mediaweek and Chattr’s The Entertainment Hotline Podcast, the pair could not be prouder to be a part of a series that speaks to their passion for the housing market but also sees them helm a series as members of the LGBTQIA+ community in their 60s.
“When you look at Australian TV, we’re very proud. We are about to host a prime-time show on Channel 10 as a same-sex couple,” McKie said. “I don’t think there’s been any other same-sex couple hosting a show on Australian TV or around the world. [Of course] There are gay people on TV, but not as a couple and we’re 60! It’s amazing.”
“If you wind the clock back, people got to a certain age — and years ago, it used to be 40 — and it probably happened to women more so than men,” Edwards added.
“But at a certain age, you were put aside for someone younger and prettier, which was supposed to be more interesting. And now, when you look at the fact that we’re starting to host a show at this age, it shows us as a society, that we’ve come a long way in recognising that people have value regardless of their age, or their sexual orientation. We can look for people that will be right for something based on their personality as opposed to based on how young they look or whether they’re into boys or girls.”
Both McKie and Edwards also applauded 10 for their efforts towards “diversity” including racial backgrounds, religious backgrounds, gender and age.
“You need to see this on our screens, our society represented,” McKie said.
Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie. Nine
Mitch and Mark were passionate about the people they helped during the filming
One of the most heartwarming elements of the series is the investment that the couple has for the people they are helping to get into the market.
“We literally have had times where I’ve gone from a first property that my couple has looked at to something that has come on the market overnight that fits into their brief,” McKie said before later adding: “I’ve gone with the crew to look at a property to see whether or not we want to show it to the couple before we go to the second property. We’ve done the research so that when we walk in the next day with a couple, we can say that no one else has seen this property. It’s very dynamic.”
McKie agreed, adding that the duo were “very connected and committed” to the process; however, cemented the fact that they have an incredible “support team” with the producers and the crew.
Mitch and Mark. Tenmitch
And there was one particular moment that still gives McKie and Edwards “goosebumps”, months after filming wrapped.
“One of the most beautiful moments I remember, and it wasn’t filmed, was when we were walking away from a couple in Queensland. They had just got the home that they wanted and I remember we did all the stuff we needed to for the show to tell the story and we walked away and I looked back and it was like somebody had created the perfect scene,” McKie recalled.
“The sun was setting over the water. They were just standing with each other, a glass of champagne, and just hugging each other. And I said to the producer, ‘Oh my god. That is just beautiful. And it was. It was just the most perfect moment.”
Location, Location, Location premieres on Friday, June 30 at 7.30 pm on 10 and 10Play.
Listen to the full Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie episode on The Entertainment Hotline.