Scott Cam clarifies Adrian Portelli’s ban rumors and announces 2026 season location

The Block’s Scott Cam has finally opened up about rumours surrounding ‘Mr. Lambo’ Adrian Portelli being banned from the show. 

Portelli, 36, made TV history in 2024 when he purchased all five Phillip Island properties on the renovation show for more than $15 million.

And earlier this year, the controversial Block bidder said he would not return, fuelling speculation that the network had shown him the door.

‘We didn’t ban him; that’s something he [Portelli] said,’ Scott announced during Thursday’s episode of Fox 101.9’s Fifi, Fev and Nick brekkie show.

Scott continued: ‘It’s a public auction, anyone can turn up, we just kindly said, “What do you reckon… you had a good run on the auctions, why don’t we leave it to some families to try and buy the houses”.’

Elsewhere in the chat, Scott made a veiled reference to Portelli’s sponsorship of Seven’s upcoming reality series My Reno Rules, which was announced in July, but has suffered a series of setbacks since.

‘[I] think Adrian has gone over to another network to do something anyway, so he wouldn’t be coming to our auction if he’s doing something over there,’ Scott said and added: ‘If he wants to turn up, he can.’

Scott also dismissed a suggestion from host Brendan ‘Fev’ Fevola that Portelli had ‘scared’ off notorious Block bidder Danny Wallis, who has spent more than $30 million buying property on the show.

‘He hasn’t been scared, Danny,’ Scott insisted.  

‘He’s a good bloke and he makes a lot of those houses available for My Room. He’s a good bloke and if he wants to buy another house like that, that’d be terrific for us.’

During the chat, Scott confirmed the location for The Block 2026 would be Mount Eliza after Daily Mail broke the news in August.

‘We’re looking forward to that,’ Scott said. 

‘I’m going to go down there next week; I’m going to pop into Mt Eliza and have a look for a house to rent for three months. 

‘So, if you have a house that I could rent in Mt Eliza for three months, give me a call!’

Known to guard details of his family life jealously, Scott said his wife Annie would be ‘visiting’ him on location in the coming weeks. 

‘My kids come down as well. I love engrossing myself in a town or community like Daylesford, Phillip Island, and now Mt Eliza. I really enjoy that aspect,’ he said.

According to sources close to the production, Nine snapped up a development site on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula for just under $11 million after weeks of negotiations.

Perched on the clifftop enclave 65km south-east of Melbourne’s CBD, Mount Eliza is one of the state’s most coveted coastal escapes, known for its million-dollar views, designer homes and buzzing holiday atmosphere.

It comes after Portelli, the controversial LMCT+ billionaire, lashed out at Channel Nine back in July accusing them of undervaluing his contribution to the franchise.

Sources close to the production claim tensions were ‘brewing the moment the cameras stopped rolling’ on the 2024 Phillip Island season.

Despite his big money moves, insiders say Adrian felt ‘dismissed’ by producers and host Scott Cam and he did not keep his fury a secret.