Neale Whitaker has opened up about his decision to jump ship from The Block to Channel Seven rival My Reno Rules.
The celebrity interior designer shocked viewers back in August when he revealed he was leaving the Channel Nine renovation juggernaut.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Whitaker revealed that after leaving The Block due to personal issues, the chance to star on My Reno Rules came at the perfect time.
He admitted that when the opportunity arose, he thought about it ‘for five minutes’ before saying ‘yes’.
‘My partner went through some very major health problems, and I really did have to make some big changes in my life, and at that particular time, it was very difficult for me to be travelling backwards and forwards as much as I was,’ he said.
‘So when Channel 7 came along and asked me if I would like to have a role on My Reno Rules, I thought, “Why not?”
Neale Whitaker (pictured) has opened up about his decision to jump ship from The Block to My Reno Rules
‘It’s a lovely new challenge, and I’m ready to take on something new. So yes, I’m very happy about it,’ he continued.
Speaking about his new role back in August, Whitaker revealed his lofty ambitions for the Channel Seven series.
‘I’m thrilled to be joining a show that will truly redefine renovation TV,’ he said in a statement.
‘I get to share my experience with a new generation of Aussie renovators in one of my favourite cities.
‘I can’t wait to see the creative and innovative ideas our teams bring to the competition.’
My Reno Rules will see four teams of contestants completely renovate two existing properties, which are then given away to lucky viewers.
It distinguishes itself from The Block in that the houses are not auctioned off, but rather given away to viewers via ‘serial Block bidder’ Adrian Portelli, who will helm the show’s live prize draw.
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.
Speaking to Yahoo Lifestyle, Whitaker revealed that after leaving the Block due to personal issues, the chance to star on My Reno Rules came at the perfect time
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,’ an insider told Daily Mail in September, adding that the filming had yet to start at the Bulleen site because the original builder ‘walked’.
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.’
It comes after Whitaker made a swansong cameo during the 2025 Block season.
He received a rousing reception from the teams, who were keen to hear the design expert’s take on their spa rooms.
My Reno Rules will see four teams of contestants completely renovate two existing properties, which are then given away to lucky viewers
It distinguishes itself from The Block in that the houses are not auctioned off, but rather given away to viewers via ‘serial Block bidder’ Adrian Portelli, who will helm the show’s live prize draw
However, teammates Han and Can might’ve wished Neale hadn’t made his surprising cameo after his brutally honest assessment of their spa room.
He slammed the effort as ‘jarring’, while likening the result to a ‘crime scene’, not helped by a bath that was filled with yellow–coloured water – a feature of all teams’ baths.
‘These types of bathrooms need to be a very quiet experience. This is the complete opposite: Everything in here is jarring,’ he said.
‘I haven’t said this for a very long time, but this is a crime scene.
‘There’s too much going on in here… you cannot relax in here. It’s too much… It’s a mess, and it’s everything a spa experience shouldn’t be.’
