Neale Whitaker has dramatically quit The Block, leaving cast members devastated.
The beloved judge confirmed he will no longer be a regular on the Channel Nine juggernaut, which is currently filming its twentieth season on Phillip Island in Victoria.
Whitaker took on a limited role as a judge last year to support his partner, David, as he faced serious health challenges.
‘In 2023 – as many of you will know – I took a break from The Block to spend more time with my partner David who was dealing with some serious health issues,’ Whitaker announced on social media on Tuesday.
‘We all hoped that by this year I would be able to return full-time to the show, but life doesn’t always run to schedule,’ he continued.
Neale Whitaker has dramatically quit The Block, leaving cast members devastated. Pictured, left to right, judges Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer
The beloved judge confirmed he will no longer be a regular on the Channel Nine juggernaut, which is currently filming its twentieth season on Phillip Island in Victoria
‘David gets stronger with each passing month, but my decision remains to be at home as much as possible.’
Whittaker is expected to make guest appearances on the upcoming season alongside judges Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and newcomer Marty Fox.
The acclaimed interior designer’s exit comes after Keith Schleiger, aka Foreman Keith, confirmed he will also have a guest role on the new series.
Whitaker took on a limited role as a judge last year to support his partner, David, as he faced serious health challenges. ‘In 2023 – as many of you will know – I took a break from The Block to spend more time with my partner David who was dealing with some serious health issues,’ Whitaker announced on social media on Tuesday
Whittaker is expect to make guest appearances on the upcoming season. Pictured, right, Marty Fox
The reality star, 50, revealed he made the difficult decision after deciding the long commute times to Philip Island to film would keep him away from his two daughters.
‘I couldn’t see a way of seeing my children more than once a week or something like that,’ he told 9Entertainment on Tuesday.
‘I wouldn’t have been able to commute from Melbourne, I would have to live down there. It just didn’t feel it was the right thing to do at the time, I don’t really want to spend three months without them.’
Keith is married to the love of his life, Rebecca, and the couple share daughters, Ebony, 13, and Jasmine, 11.
However, Keith promised that fans would still see a bit of him on the upcoming season, as he will make a brief cameo appearance.
‘It does feel a bit weird not doing The Block so you’ll see me there for about four or five days,’ he added.
The acclaimed interior designer’s exit comes after Keith Schleiger, aka Foreman Keith, confirmed he will also have a guest role on the new series
The reality star revealed he made the difficult decision after deciding the long commute times to Philip Island to film would keep him away from his two daughters. Pictured with children Ebony and Jasmine
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk