Ahead of the season nineteen premiere of The Block on Sunday, August 6th, the rumour mill has been swirling that longtime host Scott Cam will be departing the popular renovation program after 13 years at the helm.
Various media outlets have claimed that the 60-year-old Gold Logie winner had reached the end of his contract, and would not be signing a new one to host future seasons of The Block.
WATCH NOW: Scotty Cam and Frankie’s most memorable moments. Article continues after video.
Speaking with Yahoo Lifestyle, an “insider” revealed that producers of the ratings hit were “scrambling” to find someone who would be able to fill Scotty’s shoes.
“Scott Cam’s contract is up and it is believed he isn’t signing any more after this one,” they suggested.
“We want to celebrate while we have Scotty on contract and that may very well mean getting our skates on now.”
RELATED || Meet Scotty Cam’s family
But just days later, Channel Nine was forced to rebuke the claims made by the supposed “insider”, telling news.com.au that any reports of Scotty leaving The Block after season nineteen were “not true.”
Scotty himself confirmed to 9Entertainment that he wasn’t planning on leaving his “beloved” Channel Nine anytime soon.
“Unfortunately for those who might want to see the back of me, a couple of months ago I signed a long-term deal. We’re ready to go!”
“I know I’m old, [but] we’re gonna keep going!”
Scotty has hosted The Block since season three of the show in 2010, where he took over hosting duties from Jamie Durie.
Shelley Craft also joined Scotty at the helm that same year, and the rest is history.
Whilst Scotty has not yet commented on the rumours himself, he has recently expressed his excitement at being able to work on The Block, and how “thrilled” he was to be kicking off a new season.
RELATED || Meet the contestants competing on The Block 2023
“This series is guaranteed to be a deadset blockbuster,” he said late last week.
“Our five new teams from across the country are all fired up to make their home states proud.”
“The Block 2023 offers more twists, turns, and curve-balls than ever before,” he added.
In the upcoming season, contestants have been tasked with renovating “five incredible Aussie homes direct from the ’50s,” in the affluent Melbourne suburb Hampton East.
Purchased for a collective sum of $14.3m in 2022, the properties are located on Charming Street and sit on blocks ranging from 575sqm to 703sqm.
RELATED || Has The Block 2023 been spoiled already?
Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer, and Neale Whitaker are all returning to judge the show alongside a new addition of real estate tycoon Marty Fox.
Curiously, the new season will premiere on the same night as The Voice on Channel Seven.
