The Block returns to Channel Nine and 9Now on Sunday, August 8th for its 17th season.
The Block: Fans v Faves brings three unsuspecting couples face to face with two sets of very experienced returning, all-star couples.
At stake is $100,000 for the winner of The Block, plus whatever profits their home can make on auction day. Taking viewers through the entire process will be the hosts of the show.
See More: The Block Fans v Faves: Everything you need to know about the judges
Scott Cam
In a major achievement, The Block: Fans v Faves is Scott Cam’s 15th series as host.
He still loves it as much as he did during his first series in 2010, which was filmed in the Sydney suburb of Vaucluse.
“Back then I thought if we got a couple of series out of it that would be pretty good, and hopefully there would be another project for me after that,” he said.
“But sure enough, here I am, 15 seasons later, and we are still going strong. I absolutely love it.”
Living in Sydney with his wife Ann and three children, Charlie, 25, and twins Billy and Sarah, 22, Scott relocates to Melbourne to film The Block for three months every year. What appeals to Scott and keeps him making the trip south are the fresh challenges on the show every season.
This year, the cul-de-sac setting adds a whole new element to get him excited. “I think having a property in a cul-de-sac is the great Aussie dream, isn’t it?” he said.
This year Scott is also looking forward to returning to a bit of normality on The Block after last year’s build took place while the world was first grappling with the effects of Covid-19 and lockdowns.
One thing’s for sure, when it comes to auction day it will once again be the most exciting day of Scott’s working year.
“It’s the only day of the year I get nervous. I wake up feeling a bit sick to the stomach. I really want the contestants to do well, as the whole team on The Block does.”
Last year Scott celebrated 20 years on air at Nine. As well as The Block, he has been part of Backyard Blitz, Reno Rumble and Domestic Blitz.
One of Australia’s much-loved TV personalities, he took out the TV Week Gold Logie Award in 2014.
Scott Cam
Shelley Craft
The Block: Fans v Faves will be Shelley Craft’s 14th series working on the show, and every year she learns more.
“In the beginning, for me it was all about the challenges and making sure the contestants had enough money and a bit of fun all the way through,” she said.
“But I’ve learnt so much on the show and now I hope I bring a bit more industry knowledge to the contestants.”
Back home in Byron Bay, Shelley is a qualified real estate agent who enjoys flipping houses with her husband Christian. Last year she moved her two girls, Milla (10) and Eadie (9), into the new dream home she and Christian built from scratch, taking a year to do it while working around the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shelley believes that after the challenge of making The Block: Brighton during the pandemic she and Scotty, plus the cast and crew on The Block, can tackle anything.
“Looking back, I think last year did make us stronger. For everyone, including the crew behind the scenes, it was a real challenge, but we got there.”
Shelley started her television career as the host of Saturday Disney back in 1996 and joined Channel Nine in 2008.
Shelley Craft