The Block host Scott Cam has revealed that controversial contestants Jesse Maguire and Paige Beechey’s shock decision to leave the reality show was theirs alone.
The controversial couple, who have been dubbed this season’s ‘villains’, exited on Monday night after producers were forced to intervene during an explosive argument between the pair on Monday’s episode.
Producers suggested the pair seek professional help, which culminated in them leaving the show.
In a video posted to 9Now on Tuesday, Scott, 61, said producers had a ‘duty of care’ to the couple.
‘We’ve always said we’re not doing anything important here, we’re just renovating,’ Scott said in the video.
‘Health, wellbeing, happiness, always comes first on The Block. We always make sure contestants’ wellbeing is number one.’
Scott added that after speaking with professionals, Jesse and Paige made the decision to leave the popular reality show.
‘We got professional help and had extensive chats,’ he said.
Scott Cam has revealed that controversial Block contestants Jesse Maguire and Paige Beechley’s shock decision to leave the reality show was theirs alone
‘They made the decision themselves – we didn’t force them out. They made the decision they wanted to go home. We followed it up with professional care in their home state for as long as they needed it.’
The engaged couple were caught arguing off camera on Monday’s episode, but with their mics still attached.
Paige could be heard questioning her relationship with Jesse, stating, ‘There is no us.’
She added angrily: ‘I don’t give a f**k how you feel – deal with it yourself’ before threatening to quit the show.
The controversial couple who have been dubbed this season’s ‘villains’, exited on Monday night after producers were forced to intervene
By 11.30pm that night, their argument was loud enough to be heard throughout The Block site.
At that point, executive producer Justin Sturzaker stepped in, noting that the couple had had loud arguments before.
‘It seems like a relationship that’s getting pretty bad. Your neighbours can hear you too, you know?’ he said to them.
Sturzaker then suggested that Paige and Jesse speak to the show’s psychologists.
‘You don’t have to voice all of your stuff just to Jesse. We need to get some other people in to talk to you, where you guys need to make a big decision,’ he said.
The pair did so over the weekend, and by Monday, announced that they had decided to leave the series.
‘Health, wellbeing, happiness, always comes first on The Block. We always make sure contestants’ wellbeing is number one,’ Scott said in a video posted to 9Now
Paige said the past week had been a ‘cry for help’ adding, ‘It was just like a black hole in my head’.
Host Scott Cam wished them well, saying: ‘We feel as though you need to get to a place that’s out of here, to take care of yourself’.
It comes after a builder from The Block has revealed what Jesse and Paige are really like amid a huge backlash from viewers.
Many viewers have taken issue with the couple’s ‘meltdowns’ on screen, but one builder has revealed what it was really like working with the pair.
‘They made the decision themselves – we didn’t force them out. They made the decision they wanted to go home,’ he added. ‘We followed it up with professional care in their home state for as long as they needed it’
Zak Sydenham of ZS Custom Builds jumped to the couple’s defence amid the onslaught of criticism, saying he had a lot of ‘fun’ after working closely with them.
The tradie also appeared to take a swipe at how the couple have been edited on the Channel Nine program.
‘Despite what you see, [filming The Block] was full of laughs, shenanigans, and an overall enjoyable experience,’ he gushed in an Instagram post.
‘Thank you for trusting us to bring your ideas to life.’
The builder went on to admit that while the couple ‘had their moments’, it was never as bad as it appeared on screen.
They definitely had their moments, as did every couple, but it was never as bad as it’s being portrayed [in the edit],’ he told Yahoo Lifestyle.
‘Obviously, what has been shown has happened and those conversations [took place], but there has been a whole lot that hasn’t been shown that makes it seem like their reactions and comments are way out of line.’
The engaged couple were caught arguing off camera on Monday’s episode, but with their mics still attached