The physically taxing nature of The Block is set to claim a victim among one of this season’s contestants.
WATCH: The Block’s Shelley Craft talks about shutdown due to coronavirus
New Idea understands that just three weeks into filming of the hit renovation show, one of this year’s Blockheads suffers a medical emergency that requires them to be rushed to hospital – and ultimately jeopardises the entire production.
We hear an unfortunate set of circumstances during the gruelling construction process was what led to the incident.
“[The contestants] had just done an all-nighter,” a source reveals. “And at the time, Melbourne had had a fair bit of rain, so the surfaces everyone was walking around on were uneven.”
The perfect storm of fatigue combined with a hazardous environment led the contestant to suffer a devastating injury – the first of its kind to ever occur throughout 16 seasons of The Block.
In the moments after the injury, the contestant valiantly attempted to soldier on, with “adrenalin” keeping them going for a little while. But it was short-lived as it became clear that urgent medical attention was needed and they were rushed off to the hospital emergency department.
The serious nature of the contestant’s condition had huge implications for their ongoing participation in the series.
“Everyone was extremely worried, especially Scotty and Shelley,” the source explains of hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft.
The set insider also adds that the contestant “couldn’t move”, leaving producers with a conundrum about how they could continue on the show. “It was a sad thing to happen.”
As a result, the contestant and their teammate had to face the possibility of forfeiting their position and not finishing the renovation – leaving The Block in crisis.
This isn’t the only disruption the show has faced this year, as it’s already been widely reported they were forced to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more, pick up the latest issue of New Idea. Out now!
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