Just days after taking part in a Buyer’s Jury on the new season of The Block , Neale Whitaker has revealed he is stepping away from the biggest show on TV. The new season of the Nine juggernaut is close to wrapping its next season on Phillip Island, two hours southeast of Melbourne. The news of Whitaker’s departure comes after just last weekend it was revealed The Blockinator, Keith Schleiger , aka Foreman Keith, would only have a smaller role in the new season.
Whitaker shared the news about his departure on a social media post : It’s no secret that The Block is currently filming on Victoria’s Phillip Island and lots of people have been asking me if I’m back on the show this year. I thought now was a good time to answer those questions. In 2023 – as many of you will know – I took a break from The Block to spend more time with my partner David who was dealing with some serious health issues.
We all hoped that by this year I would be able to return full-time to the show, but life doesn’t always run to schedule. David gets stronger with each passing month, but my decision remains to be at home as much as possible. So while you’ll see me on Phillip Island from time to time, I’ve handed my judging sheet permanently to Marty Fox (who stepped in so brilliantly last season) and I know he will have a blast with Shaynna and Darren as I did for 17 seasons.
Neale Whitaker with fellow Block judges Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox It’s been such a privilege.
