There’s chaos surrounding Channel Seven’s upcoming reality series, My Reno Rules.
The show, produced by MasterChef creators Endemol Shine, is set to rival Channel Nine’s The Block and will feature four teams of renovators competing on two neighbouring rundown houses in Melbourne.
Just weeks after the show was announced, a builder has walked off the set and there are whispers whether former Block bidder Adrian Portelli will take an on-screen role after he announced he was going to be part of the show.
Known as ‘Mr Lambo’, the high-flying entrepreneur, 36, has continually used social media to promote himself as one of the ‘faces’ of the series.
But insiders close to the troubled production have told Daily Mail that Portelli’s profile behind the scenes is near invisible.
According to a statement released by Seven last month, part of Portelli’s role will be to ‘manage’ the show’s ‘live prize draw’.
There is a growing doubt over whether viewers can look forward to seeing Adrian Portelli (pictured) on screen in Seven’s new reality series My Reno Rules
My Reno Rules will be hosted by Dr. Chris Brown (pictured)
Property titles reveal that it was Portelli who snapped up two old suburban homes in Melbourne’s Bulleen, 15km from the CBD, for My Reno Rules. The two homes, worth a total of $2.7 million, were purchased through Portelli’s company Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, and were ‘donated’ to the show
However, despite reports of his ‘hands-on’ role, a close source told Daily Mail they’re yet to see any evidence of it.
My Reno Rules will be hosted by Dr. Chris Brown and insiders say he will be handling the role of MRR’s anchor ‘solo’.
Meanwhile, property titles reveal that it was Portelli who snapped up two old suburban homes in Melbourne’s Bulleen, 15km from the CBD, for My Reno Rules.
The two homes, worth a total of $2.7 million, were purchased through Portelli’s company Xclusive Tech Pty Ltd, and were ‘donated’ to the show.
‘That’s Portelli’s role so far – sponsor,’ the insider told Daily Mail, adding that the filming is yet to start at the Bulleen site because the original builder ‘walked’.
The show, due to start shooting on September 26, is now more than seven weeks behind schedule.
The insider added that an earlier report seen in the media saying that the show’s homes were not ‘TV-ready’ is false.
‘The real issue is that the production was searching for a new builder to take over,’ they continued.
Known as ‘Mr Lambo’, the high-flying entrepreneur, 36, has continually used social media to promote himself as one of the ‘faces’ of the series
Former star of The Block, Neale Whitaker, will be part of a judging panel, alongside Top Buyer’s Agent Simon Cohen and interior design specialist Julia Green. (All pictured)
The show, due to start shooting on September 26, is now five weeks behind schedule, a source close to the production informed the Daily Mail. Pictured: The second of the Bulleen property’s
Another source familiar with the production site in Bulleen confirmed the original builder exited after there was a ‘disagreement over payment’.
When Daily Mail approached Portelli, and Seven for comment, a spokesperson confirmed My Reno Rules will start construction later in the year.
‘As part of the pre-production phase, there are continuing conversations with several builders,’ they said in a statement.
‘Construction will commence later this year, with the series premiering on Seven and 7plus in 2026.’
Portelli officially turned his back on Channel Nine’s The Block in July this year.
The entrepreneur, who spent millions of dollars snapping up houses over the last three seasons of the show, shared a post to social media revealing he was leaving the series for good.
Portelli’s decision to step away from The Block after spending $15 million on all five Phillip Island properties last year was met with a mixed response from the 2025 Blockheads.
‘We spoke to ex-contestants and they’ve said, you can’t just rely on your Adrian Portellis of the world to come in,’ current contestant Taz told Daily Mail.
‘You’ve really got to market it. And we put our heart and soul into it.’
Fellow 2025 Blockhead Britt agreed, adding: ‘Having a very good real estate agent definitely helps as well. What will be will be – we can’t stress about things we can’t control.’
Sonny and Alicia, who created the only brick house on the block this season, are openly relieved Portelli won’t be back.
‘We all know Adrian’s not coming back,’ Sonny said. ‘This will open it up to people to have a proper auction, like back how The Block was.’
And in a new interview with the Daily Mail, The Block foreman Keith Schleiger also weighed in on Portelli’s decision to part with the Nine show.
‘Me, personally, I think it’s fantastic,’ Keith said. ‘I never like that, I’ll be honest with you. I’d like to see the show go back to normal auctions.’
