'It was time to move on.' Why fan-favourite Neale Whitaker had to quit The Block.

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Neale Whitaker has entranced Australians ever since he first stepped onto The Block in 2010. After almost 13 years, the British judge stepped back from the reality renovation show in 2023.

Watch the trailer for The Block 2023 here. Post continues after video. 

"It's been an amazing honour really," Whitaker said about his time on the show. "There is no other way I could describe it. It's been a privilege to be part of this show for so long. "

At the 2024 TV Week Logie Awards, Whitaker spoke about why he decided to leave The Block.

"Oh gosh, it was a big decision, but it was something that I had to do for my personal life," he told Yahoo! on the Logies red carpet. 

"After 13 years, it kind of felt like the timing was right. I gave it my best shot for all those years, and it was time to move on. It's always going to have a very special place for me, that show, always. And I think if I'm honest, I'll always feel like an honorary member of the show - I don't know whether they'll approve of that, but that's how I feel."

Whitaker previously touched on his decision to step back in an emotional Instagram post in 2023, telling fans he was committing more time to his family. 

"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," he said.

Neale Whitaker with his husband, David. Image: Instagram/@nealewhitaker.

Whitaker will be making an appearance in this year's milestone 20th season.

"It’s been such a privilege to be part of Australia’s most iconic TV show for an unbelievable 13 years - unbelievable to me, anyway," he said of making a brief return this year.

"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, Darren Palmer, Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox. Image: Nine. 

Feature Image: Instagram/@nealewhitaker.

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