The Block judge Neale Whittaker to cut back on airtime this season

Longtime The Block judge Neale Whittaker has announced that viewers will see less of him in the show’s upcoming 19th season, as he made the decision to “cut back” on work to support his partner through ill health.

Whittaker has been with the show since its third season – as long as host Scott Cam. He was joined in season five by Shaynna Blaze, and a year later by Darren Palmer, and they’ve been dishing out tough love to contestants as a trio for a decade now.

But with Whittaker cutting back his working hours to support his partner of two decades, Blaze and Palmer will be joined by a fourth judge this season: Real estate guru Marty Fox, who will step in on weeks when Whittaker’s not there.

“I’m very proud to be completing my 17th season as a judge on The Block. It’s an amazing privilege to have been part of this iconic show for 13 years. For the 2023 season, however, I’ve put family first and cut back on my judging weeks,” Whittaker wrote in an Instagram post overnight.

“My partner of 20 years, David, experienced some serious health issues earlier this year and my priority has been to spend more time at home.”

Filming for the majority of the season has already taken place in recent months. Whittaker revealed that his partner is already “making a great recovery,” and he plans to return to the show full-time next year for its 20th season.

Whittaker’s fellow judges offered him their support under the post.

“You’re loved and missed my dear friend and I look forward to every week we work together this season. All our love to David too,” wrote Palmer.

“Huge love & respect for what you do & your priorities. But mostly love you,” wrote Blaze.

“You’ve given me some big shoes to fill mate and it’s an honour to have helped the OG,” Said new judge Fox.

Whittaker’s announcement comes as Nine today revealed the full list of contestants for this 1950s-themed season of The Block.

The five teams are are:

Personal assistant Eliza (37) and integration producer Liberty Paschke (34) – sisters from VIC

Firefighter Kyle (36) and teaching aide Leslie Cottone (34) – parents from WA

First aid officer Leah (32) and builder Ash Milton (38) – parents from QLD

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Project manager Kristy (34) and safety officer Brett Beams (34) – married from SA

Architect Steph (27) and start-up worker Gian Ottavio (27) – married from NSW

The show, which usually begins airing in early August, will this year see the teams renovate five houses designed and built in the 1950s located on the aptly named Charming Street, in the Melbourne suburb of Hampton East.

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