“People who don’t know us are going to make some type of judgement, but I guess that’s what we signed up for. So, I guess all we can do is stay true to ourselves.”
Of course, the bullying is taking its toll, with the couple photographed looking particularly strained on set.
Tess admits she’s struggled with the comments she’s read on social media, despite trying to stay strong.
stay strong.
“I don’t cope very well with it,” she reveals. “I don’t even cope very well with what people are saying about the other contestants – I get very upset.
“So, I try not to read comments and stay with my family and friends and the people who love us, because that’s all that matters at the end of the day.”
Meanwhile, Luke admits he enjoys the fact that people are writing about them. “I think its funny that people go out of their way to write comments,” he laughs.
“Whether it’s good or bad, I am glad we are affecting someone’s life that badly that they feel the need to go and write a comment about us.”
But, it’s not just the couple that have experienced bullying online. Tess reveals that all the teams have had their share – and that’s why it’s so important they all stick together.
“A few of the contestants have experienced online bullying, but the only people who actually know what we all went through are each other,” she says.
“We all vouch for each other and know how hard it was, so as long as we all support each other we know we’re OK … I think if you can survive The Block and you can survive the trolls that come with it you can survive anything.”
For more, see this week's New Idea - out now!