Adrian ‘Mr Lambo’ Portelli made history on Sunday night’s finale of The Block.
The 35-year-old billionaire businessman purchased all five Phillip Island properties for a staggering $15.03million.
The nail-biting finale was the most profitable auction day in the show’s history, with all five teams taking home an eye-watering $5.43million in profits.
While it was a win for Portelli and The Block’s contestants, viewers at home were left with a bad taste in their mouths, with many claiming the show was ‘rigged’ and ‘wasn’t real anymore’
They soon took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent their anger.
‘It’s rigged by sponsors and not even a true auction now,’ wrote one disgruntled viewer.
‘Adrian Portelli just spends the most money on his favourite couple. What a pointless series. It was clearly scripted. What a load of crap,’ they continued.
‘Is it not crazy rigged that the same guy bids on all houses?’ wrote another.
Adrian ‘Mr Lambo’ Portelli made history on Sunday night’s finale of The Block. Pictured
The 35-year-old billionaire businessman (left) purchased all five Phillip Island properties for a staggering $15.03million
‘He obviously bids based off who he likes most and therefore dictates who wins,’ they continued.
‘The Block is not a real show anymore,’ added a third, before a fourth claimed the show’s finale was ‘disappointing’.
‘Obviously old mate Adrian and Ch9 made sure the girls were 5th for the suspense,’ someone else wrote.
Elsewhere, one fan appeared perplexed by the price of the ‘beach houses’ and their location.
‘So, let me get this correct, someone just paid $15,000,000 for beach houses that are nowhere near the beach. Did someone tell the purchaser he could have bought 20+ houses in that part of Phillip Island and still had change?’
While it was a win for Portelli and The Block’s contestants, viewers at home were left with a bad taste in their mouths, with many claiming the show was ‘rigged’ and ‘wasn’t real anymore
Maddy and Charlotte Harry have become the youngest-ever auction winners of The Block, taking home an eye-watering $1.65million profit
‘We are just so grateful, and it’s a very surreal feeling,’ said Maddy of their win. Pictured with host Scott Scam
Maddy and Charlotte Harry have become the youngest-ever auction winners of The Block, taking home an eye-watering $1.65million profit on the finale.
The sisters, who were latecomers to the 2024 series, secured the highest bid on the day, with their renovated Phillip Island property selling for $3.5million
Maddy, 24, and Charlotte, 22, also take home an extra $100,000 for their monumental victory.
The four bedroom, three bathroom home had a $1,950,000 reserve.
‘We are just so grateful, and it’s a very surreal feeling,’ said Maddy of their win.
‘You can’t anticipate how something like The Block will end, but it is the perfect ending for us. I think there is such a special relationship with sisters, and I’m so proud of both of us and how hard we worked.’
Charlotte added, ‘To end The Block on such a high note is so special. We never thought it would go like this.
‘I could not have had this experience with anyone else but Maddy. We have been in this from the beginning, so it’s an incredible feeling for both of us now.’
Courtney and Grant kicked off the auction day with a stunning victory, selling their property to billionaire Adrian Portelli for a whopping $3.3million
Kylie and Brad left the show with a very healthy $650,000 profit on their property’s $1,950,000 reserve. Both pictured
Maddy and Charlotte concluded: ‘This has been the experience of a lifetime. Winning this much money is life-changing for us. We can’t believe Adrian loved our house as much as we do!’
‘It’s a fantastic result,’ said host Scott Cam.
‘I’m so pleased for the girls to win it, and they deserve it. All of the houses have sold, and it’s a fantastic way to finish the 20th season of the show, with all five couples making some decent coin.’
‘The Block will end, but it is the perfect ending for us. I think there is such a special relationship with sisters, and I’m so proud of both of us and how hard we worked.’
Kristian and Mimi entered the auction with a strategic advantage, having secured a $50,000 reduction on their reserve. Amid a flurry of bids, their property sold for $2.93 million to a buyer’s agent, earning the couple an impressive $1.03million profit. Both pictured
Earlier in the episode, Ricky and Haydn were meanwhile visibly frustrated after drawing the fourth auction spot, with Ricky declaring it the ‘worst-case scenario.’ However, Portelli once again came to the rescue, snapping up their home for $2.7million. This sale landed the boys a solid profit of $750,000, adding them to the season’s roster of big winners
Meanwhile, their co-stars also walked away from the auction pocketing millions.
Courtney and Grant kicked off the auction day with a stunning victory, also selling their property to billionaire Adrian Portelli for a whopping $3.3million.
This sale gave the pair an incredible profit of $1.35million over their $1.95million reserve, instantly propelling them into The Block’s all-time high earners.
Kylie and Brad Baker also laughed all the way to the bank on auction day, with Portelli making another headline-grabbing purchase, securing Kylie and Brad’s property for $2.6 million.
The couple sensationally returned on Sunday night after the mother-of-four vowed she would never return to the Channel Nine show.
The controversial couple walked off the set the last week in spectacular fashion, with Kylie unleashing a foul-mouthed tirade before disappearing into the night.
In recent weeks, Kylie and husband Brad saw their seven-year marriage implode on-air when the Cairns-based tradesman told fellow contestant Mimi Belperio he would ‘follow’ her OnlyFans account if she had one.
Despite their win, Maddy and Charlotte’s journey on the Channel Nine series wasn’t easy. They quickly found targets on their backs after revelations of their professional house-flipping experience emerged
Kylie and Brad left the show with a very healthy $650,000 profit on their property’s $1,950,000 reserve.
Kristian and Mimi entered the auction with a strategic advantage, having secured a $50,000 reduction on their reserve.
Amid a flurry of bids, their property sold for $2.93 million to a buyer’s agent, earning the couple an impressive $1.03million profit and making them the second team this season to become instant millionaires.
Earlier in the episode, Ricky and Haydn were meanwhile visibly frustrated after drawing the fourth auction spot, with Ricky declaring it the ‘worst-case scenario.’
However, Portelli once again came to the rescue, snapping up their home for $2.7million.
This sale landed the boys a solid profit of $750,000, adding them to the season’s roster of big winners.
Despite their win, Maddy and Charlotte’s journey on the Channel Nine series wasn’t easy.
The sisters replaced replaced Paige Beechey and Jesse Maguire, who exited in shocking scenes after producers were forced to intervene in their arguing.
The engaged couple were caught arguing off camera, but with their mics still attached as Jesse appeared to question their relationship.
Maddy and Charlotte replaced Paige Beechey and Jesse Maguire on the show
‘We are just so grateful, and it’s a very surreal feeling,’ said Maddy of their win
Charlotte added, ‘To end The Block on such a high note is so special. We never thought it would go like this’
Paige was heard saying angrily: ‘I don’t give a f**k how you feel – deal with it yourself,’ before threatening to quit the show.
By 11.30pm that night, their argument was loud enough to be heard throughout The Block site and executive producer Justin Sturzaker stepped in.
‘It seems like a relationship that’s getting pretty bad. Your neighbours can hear you too, you know?’ he said to them.
After being urged to speak to psychologists, the couple made the decision to withdraw from the competition and had a highly emotional exit.
Following their shock exit, host Scott Cam revealed the pair’s decision was theirs alone, clapping back at claims they were asked to leave.
‘We’ve always said we’re not doing anything important here, we’re just renovating,’ Scott said in the video.
‘Health, wellbeing, happiness, always comes first on The Block. We always make sure contestants’ wellbeing is number one.’
Throughout the series, Maddy and Charlotte found targets on their backs after revelations of their professional house-flipping experience emerged.
Maddy said she found watching the season difficult to watch because of how she and her sister were treated by the other stars.
She said reliving the experience has been ‘triggering’ as she claimed the other cast members treated them ‘cruelly’.
Maddy also noted that entering the competition late, as well as being the youngest contestants, felt like being ‘the new kid at school’.
Earlier on Sunday, millionaire bidder Adrian Portelli hinted his time was up on The Block.
‘It’s time to say goodbye to The Block and this Dummy Bidder is going out with a f**kng Bang!’ Portelli, 35, posted to Instagram on Saturday.
Recent Block season finales have essentially been a two-horse race, as Portelli and fellow multi-millionaire businessman Danny Wallis fought to out bid each other over several properties.
Between them, the cashed up pair have purchased 15 Block properties in recent years.
Portelli’s departure from The Block could spell and end to the record-breaking profits he has raked in for contestants, including 2023 winners Steph and Gian, who walked away with $1.65million from their sale and an additional $100,000 in prize money.
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