Ricky's girlfriend waited months while he filmed The Block. Then she says she was 'absolutely blindsided'.

The Block 2023 had everything — high-stakes auctions, friendship fallouts, behind-the-scenes drama and beautiful room reveals to boot.

Now, The Block 2024 has premiered for its milestone 20th season and that can only mean more drama, more renovations and more high-stakes weekly room reveals.

The new season, which kicked off on August 12, is taking place on Phillip Island in Victoria. The location has, once again, proven to be a sore point for some. 

Not only that, personal behind-the-scenes gossip and drama has taken hold of the internet. There are split rumours, shock exits and more.

Here's all the behind-the-scenes gossip you want to know about Season 20 of The Block.

Watch Steph and Gian talking about their win on The Block 2023. Post continues after video. 

Ricky Recard allegedly broke up with his girlfriend for a makeup artist on The Block.

This one is juicy. 

The ex-girlfriend of Ricky Recard — who is competing on The Block with his best friend Haydyn Wise — claims he broke up with her the night before they were set to go on a trip to Mexico for her birthday. 

Shortly after, he allegedly revealed that he was dating makeup artist and mother-of-two Erin Lee (the pair are pictured together at the top of the article). 

"I was absolutely blindsided," Lauren Smith told the Daily Mail. "I spent three months looking after his dogs and his house while also helping his employee with the business. We were due to go at the beginning of July for my 30th birthday but we broke up about two weeks after he got back from filming.

"I found out while I was in Mexico that he had apparently begun a relationship with Erin during the time I was away," she continued.

Ricky has responded to the dramatic reveal, on the Fifi, Fev & Nick radio show. 

"Now, Ricky, you little love rat. Your ex has come out, Lozza, and she's labelled you a love rat. What's happened man? You've hooked up with a 40-year-old Mum or something?" Brendan Fevola asked. 

Ricky somewhat evaded the questions surrounding the timeline of his relationship and chose not to speak about his ex, beyond confirming he had seen what she said. 

"I was pretty shocked. I'm shocked when anyone goes to the media about that sort of stuff, that's not really my style. I don't have anything bad to say about her," he told the hosts.

"I was lucky enough to meet Erin (current girlfriend) just before filming started on The Block, on one of the launching days we had down there (in Phillip Island)."

When asked about how they fell in love, Ricky said, "I'm not sure what she fell in love with to be honest with you. The Block is apparently good for a couple of things, it's not only building dream houses for potential families but also a love story there as well. We’re very happy."

Ricky (left) has fallen in love with The Block makeup artist. Image: Channel Nine.

One couple dramatically quits The Block 2024.

It's not all sunshine and rainbows for the contestants on The Block this year, with executive producer Julian Cress confirming one couple sensationally quit the show during production. 

"We went into it with five great teams, a really interesting bunch of people. But although we were renovating a holiday park, The Block certainly didn’t turn out to be a holiday for everybody," Cress told TV Tonight.

"We didn't make it through the whole series with all five teams. We had to replace one of them along the way, which was a very dramatic moment. We've had a team leave previously in the show in Gisborne, but that was only after a couple of days.

"This time, we have a team, deciding to depart the show, a fair way in to the renovation, and then have another team have to come in and take over that build when quite a few rooms had already been revealed. That's never happened before."

Producers Julian Cress, Justin Sturzaker and David Barbour. Image: Channel Nine.

Of course, Cress is referring to the first-ever couple to quit The Block: Elle Ferguson and Joel Patfull in 2022. But they exited the series after just a few days. 

This year, it seems the couple will be departing several weeks into the process. Scandal!

"Their reasons for leaving, are pretty remarkable. I think it will start a very interesting conversation amongst the audience," he continued.

"It was a very difficult decision for them to come to, but there was a very strong reason why they decided to do it and very dramatic and will be unfolding in the coming weeks."

Fans are sure to be on the edges of their seats as the scandal unfolds. But which team will be making a swift exit? Get to know all the contestants here.

The Block couple headed for heartache.

As reported by both The Daily Mail and Woman's Day, rumours of one couple calling it quits romantically while on The Block are running rampant.

However, it's unclear at this stage which couple may have called it quits. Or if there were even any splits at all. We'll have to wait and see on this one.

The Block relocated following complaints. 

This surprising new format means that The Block isn't just going rural — it's going resort-style. Well, now it is, after a whole lot of drama.

According to reports, the new season was meant to be filmed in Daylesford, a little country town in Victoria. But following complaints from the locals and permit issues the series had to relocate to Phillip Island, where Channel Nine bought a HOLIDAY RESORT. 

The snazzy little plot of land called the Island Cove Villas was bought out by Channel Nine for $9.5 million. 

The Block is heading to Island Cove Villa on Phillip Island. Image: Channel Nine.

It's thought to be an oasis — a home away from home. But it's a huge parcel of land, and it looks like these five homes will be giving luxurious vibes.

"[The resort] allowed us to do something that we’ve never done before, which is always on our agenda, and that is to create five holiday houses in a gated community, and also renovate a tennis court, a swimming pool and a gigantic clubhouse, which will be seen in the climax of the series. It’s one of the most interesting things we’ve ever done on the show," Cress told TV Tonight.

The median price for a four-bedroom home in Cowes on Phillip Island is $805,000, according to Domain. If these new homes hit classic Block prices, the contestants may be in for a tough time on auction day.

The land size is huge! How will the contestants fare on Phillip Island? We'll have to tune in to see. Image: Channel Nine.

Fan-favourites make their return.

As all fans of The Block would know, the series has a habit of bringing back former contestants to give advice and help the newer teams throughout the show.

This year, Yahoo Lifestyle reports the new season will see several veteran cast members returning for a special episode where they will form different teams to help the current Blockheads with a secret project.

Steph and Gian (2023), Kyal and Kara (2014), Omar and Oz (2022), and Andy and Deb (2019) are among those returning for the special episode.

But according to their source, Nine is using the episode to test audience interest in these returning stars to decide if they should do an "All Stars" season in 2025.

"Executives are dipping their toes in the water," the source told the publication. "It's not like The Block hasn't brought back previous contestants before, but Channel Nine is still unsure if audiences care to see returning renovators.

"However, if the one-off episode featured toward the end of the upcoming series is well received, then the public casting call will be scrapped by the casting team at Lucky Break Creative."

The Block 2024 premieres on August 12 and airs weeknights, 7:30pm, on Channel Nine.

Feature Image: Nine. 

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