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The Block Considers All-Gay Cast to Celebrate Daylesford’s Queer Heritage!

BBG News

For the 2025 season, producers of The Block toyed with the idea of having an all-LGBTQ+ cast as a nod to the queer heritage of Daylesford.

Each weekend, I can’t wait to escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne and journey the 112 kilometers north to my beloved hidden gem – a quaint, rural retreat that’s become famous far beyond its humble size. It’s none other than the venue for this year’s smashing renovation show sensation! And As an ardent fan, I feel a strong connection with this vibrant, accepting community that welcomes everyone with open arms.

A source informs Daily Mail Australia that a pair of female partners has already secured a spot among the five squads for this year.

According to our source, it was not just about being included in Channel Nine, but at one stage, they were considering producing a full series featuring only gay characters.

In 2016, the reality show featured a lesbian couple for the very first time – Julia Treuel and Sasha Wright-Neville were the two women on the program that year. This is actually the second occasion where there have been two females on the show.

Back in 2003, I absolutely fell head over heels for the dynamic duo, Gavin ‘Gav’ Atkins and Warren ‘Waz’ Sonin. They were the stars of the show that year, hands down!

Instead, the information indicates that plans for a completely gay season, which were supposedly official, were put on hold due to several factors.

Essentially, what they’re saying is that such shows are not effective at ‘star-studding’ or bringing in big names (often referred to as stunt casting). Instead, they prefer the approach of having a cast composed entirely of LGBTQ+ characters.

As a die-hard enthusiast, let me confess that I’ve pondered upon the truth: networks such as Channel Nine, or any other broadcaster, wouldn’t dare to cast in this manner for the simple reason of potentially offending their viewers. It’s all about maintaining audience appeal and ensuring ratings success.

While it might seem enjoyable initially and could turn out vibrant and fulfilling, there’s a chance that some viewers may find it off-putting.

In the meantime, an advocate from Daylesford expressed their viewpoint that ‘inclusivity’ ought to have taken precedence on The Block during the year 2025.

They pointed out that it would appear to be a significant omission, as the production team should consider casting an individual from the LGBTQ+ community or a local performer from Daylesford given their long-standing ties to the area spanning over several decades.

2003 saw Gav and Waz making television history on The Block at 6:30pm during the first season. Their presence was not novel to the show, but this year they’ve got a unique motivation for integrating the LGBTI+ community into the series.

Meanwhile, Daylesford is highlighted on the Visit Gay Australia (VGA) website as the “gay hub” or “gay center” of rural Victoria.

One of the allures for the LGBTQIA+ community is the ChillOut Festival, often referred to as ‘Australia’s top Queer Country Pride Event.’

The VGA also claims that Daylesford is favourite getaway for members of the Queer community.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. 

According to an insider, there’s been a significant problem with the filming of The Block’s 2025 season that has led to delays in production.

According to a trusted insider, the initial plan for filming to start in Daylesford during February has been postponed.

The production for the widely-watched Channel Nine reality renovation show has been pushed back, it seems, and is now expected to resume in March.

It seems there’s a delay, as our source shared that the producers aren’t overly fond of this year’s pool of applicants for the 21st season of the show.

This week, it’s been reported that the casting producers have been holding emergency discussions with executives from Channel Nine due to their dissatisfaction with the proposed schedule for 2025.

According to the source, extreme efforts are being taken to ensure that the show is perfect for the upcoming season.

It seems that there’s a significant gap in the content that Channel Nine had planned to feature towards the end of this year.

According to the source, Nine is considering inviting more mature and experienced contestants for the year 2025, aiming to shift focus from the frequent dramatic incidents that have characterized the show in recent years.

A large portion of the 2024 season was overshadowed by the contentious ‘flirtgate scandal,’ which involved Brad and Kylie Baker, a married couple, along with their co-star, Mimi Belperio.

Daly Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment.

Viewers might believe they’ve witnessed everything the thrilling reality TV series has to offer, but the upcoming 2025 season is set to surprise them with a fresh, unprecedented twist.

In this innovative twist, competitors must construct their lavish residences entirely from the ground up on a brand-new plot. This fresh angle promises to amplify the existing pressure and stress levels of the rapid and demanding build process.

2025 competitors will need to construct the outer structure of a five-bedroom layout, encompassing a home office (study), common room (living area) and carport (garage).

As a devoted adherent, I’m thrilled to share that the establishments at my disposal will boast of additional luxurious facilities. These will encompass a sheltered alfresco zone and a warm, inviting pool for swimming.

The documents provided by Group Architects propose that the five residences will be nearly identical, two-story, environmentally friendly buildings.

Initially, Daylesford was intended as the location for The Block’s 2024 season; but due to a disagreement over planning, the production ultimately shifted to Phillip Island instead.

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2025-03-07 06:41

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