Several photos notorious Block bidder Adrian Portelli has posted on his Instagram page has once again raised concerns over the renovation show’s ‘legitimacy’.
A source claims the show has attracted scrutiny from ‘watchdogs’ after the 35-year-old billionaire dropped over $15million on all five homes during The Block’s auction earlier this month.
‘The relationship Adrian Portelli has maintained over the last few years with the show’s creators is all over the Internet,’ they said, in reference to photos Portelli shared on his social media.
One of them features the high-flying businessman posing with The Block’s producer Julian Cress, which Portelli shared to his Instagram on auction day.
‘The fact that it was in the media and that the story involved him spending $15 million has had a lot of attention from watchdogs,’ the source told Yahoo Lifestyle on Thursday.
‘It does raise a few concerns about the legitimacy of how The Block auctions are run. A majority of viewers don’t believe the way that The Block finished felt right. It didn’t pass the ”pub test”.’
Several photos notorious Block bidder Adrian Portelli has posted on his Instagram page has once again raised concerns over the renovation show’s ‘legitimacy’
One of them features the high-flying businessman posing with The Block’s producer Julian Cress, which Portelli shared to his Instagram on auction day. Pictured: The Block producer Julian Cress and Adrian Portelli (right)
When approached for comment, Nine told Daily Mail Australia: ‘The Block auctions are conducted by licensed real estate agents who are required to comply with all relevant laws while in the presence of Consumer Affairs.’
Sisters Maddy and Charlotte took home an eye-watering $1.65million profit in the nail-biting finale, with their renovated Phillip Island property selling for $3.5million.
Portelli himself raised eyebrows earlier this month when he revealed details about the Harry sisters win.
Telling Nova’s Jase & Lauren the auction order was pre-determined, Portelli explained to listeners: ‘We hand-selected the auction order to make sure the girls [Maddy and Charlotte Harry] went last. So we can get them to win,’ Portelli began.
Portelli revealed that it was decided their house would be the last to go to auction to increase the drama.
‘The girls cared. They came in late. They were the underdogs, were picked on, were bullied.’
He said Marry and Charlotte were informed in advance why their property would be auctioned last, adding that the other contestants were kept in the dark.
‘It was just the girls [who were in on the plan]. How good is that? They are the sweetest and innocent and were playing the game the best.’
Portelli himself raised eyebrows when he came close to admitting that the 2024 auction was ‘rigged’ to allow Blockheads Maddy and Charlotte to walk away winners. Pictured: Portelli with the Block stars Maddy and Charlotte
However, Portelli later retracted any claims that The Block was ‘rigged’.
‘I’ve never once said The Block was rigged. Those words never came out of my mouth,’ he told followers on Instagram this month.
Maddy, 24, and Charlotte, 22, also took home an extra $100,000 for their monumental victory.
Their four-bedroom, three-bathroom home had a $1.85 million reserve.
The Sydney sisters entered into the heated 20th season midway through filming after couple Paige Beechey and Jesse Maguire threw down their tools.
It comes after Portelli revealed his shock plan for ‘Block Island’ after purchasing all five of the contestants’ homes during auction day.
He announced he will be giving away all the houses in a massive ‘resort giveaway’ through his LMCT+ raffle business.
‘Under new management! And as mayor of Portelli town, I would like to announce a world first. LET’S GIVE AWAY A FKN RESORT!’
Adrian captioned his post on Facebook.’1 Giveaway – 1 Prize – Winner takes the whole resort OR $8,000,000 instant Tax-Free Cash instead! Let the game begin.’
Accompanying the announcement was a photo of Portelli posing alongside one of his lavish cars inside the Block complex he just purchased.
He was all smiles as he leaned back against his vehicle holding an LMCT+ banner with a ‘No Vacancy’ sign artfully captured in the image.
The ‘rewards club’ Portelli has made his billions from sees his customers pay for different tiers of membership to receive a number of entries in luxury giveaways.
Portelli has been buying up Block houses over the last three seasons and giving them away in his raffles.
