"Family always first": Block judge reveals real reason for sudden departure
Neale Whittaker has shared his frustrations over the premier episode of the new season of The Block, saying a vital piece of information was edited out.
Audiences were shocked on Sunday night when Neale told his fellow judges Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer that he had some important news to tell them before commencing their judging duties.
Visibly emotional, he confessed that he would be “breaking up the band,” and wouldn’t be able to join them as a full-time judge this season, saying he "can't be here every weekend this year".
His longtime colleagues embraced him and told him he had their full support, and then the moved on to judging rooms, with viewers not told the reason for Whittaker’s decision.
After the episode aired, Neale took to Instagram to share his frustrations with the edit, and shared the reasoning behind his impending absence to his followers.
Sharing a clip of the moment as it went to air, he wrote, “There’s nothing more frustrating than an unexplained decision or an incomplete narrative – especially where health and family are concerned."
“This is what went to air tonight on the first episode of The Block’s 19th season, my 17th. I broke the news to Shaynna and Darren that I would be unable to join them each week and explained my reasons. It was an emotional conversation for all of us. Unfortunately those important reasons didn’t make the cut so here goes.”
Whittaker explained that he’d “chosen to put family first,” and support David, his partner of 20 years, through “some serious and ongoing health issues.”
“Melbourne real estate expert Marty Fox will be standing in for me on the weeks I can’t be there, but I’ll still be popping up from time to time over the next 12 weeks. The good news is that David is making great progress, my Block family has been fully supportive of my decision and I’m looking forward to returning to The Block full time for the show’s 20th anniversary season in 2024,” he continued.
The post was flooded with comments of support and well wishes, with previous Block contestants Elise and Matt writing, "Family always first buddy ❤️ when we all heard the news we put David straight into our prayers ❤️❤️❤️ we hope he’s on this way to a full recovery."
Another fan wrote, "Family is so important Neale! I’ll be waiting to see you pop in, over the next 12 weeks."
Image credits: Getty Images