The Block’s Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra come out of hiding at red carpet event

They went to ground after their home on The Block failed to sell at auction during the show’s finale earlier this month.

But Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra are back on the social scene, and turned heads on the red carpet at the L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards on Thursday evening.

Their appearance at the event comes just days after their bad fortune turned around when Adrian Portelli, a.k.a. Mr Lambo, purchased their Block house for $4.25million.

Portelli splashed out on the couple’s house in a post-auction private sale – and now plans to give it away for free.

The married couple appeared happy with the outcome, smiling and posing for photographers at the event.

Former Neighbours star Sharon looked stunning in a white off-the-shoulder dress by Bianca and Bridgett, which featured fur lining on the sleeves and bust.

She paired the full-length frock with a red Bulgari handbag and white stilettos.

Former Neighbours star Sharon looked stunning in a white off-the-shoulder dress by Bianca and Bridgett, which featured fur lining on the sleeves and bust

The brunette beauty also added a pop of red lipstick to her pout and styled her locks in waves.

Meanwhile, Ankur was dapper in a deep green tuxedo with black satin lapels. 

He wore a black shirt underneath and a pair of Gucci loafers on his feet.

The couple certainly have plenty to smile about.  

The pair, who were facing a major financial loss, pocketed a profit of $170,000 when Portelli purchased their house. 

When you add in the Ford Everest they won on the show, they are walking away with a quarter of a million dollars.

Sharon and Ankur, who just days ago were facing a major financial loss, pocketed a profit of $170,000 when Portelli purchased their house 

After being falsely accused of ‘dummy bidding’ on Omar and Oz’s place, Portelli put his money where his mouth by splashing out $4.25million on Sharon Johal and Ankur Dogra’s (pictured) house, which failed to sell on auction day

Portelli bought the home only to hand the keys over to the lucky winner of a competition he is running through his giveaways business LMCT+, a monthly rewards club that gives paying subscribers access to luxury prizes. 

He announced his purchase on Instagram last Friday afternoon, sharing several photos of House 3 alongside the caption: ‘Well, this is going to rustle some feathers… Someone’s winning one of The Block houses!

‘A lot of Australia doubted the man; however, Adrian has gone and bought Ankur and Sharon’s House 3 and one of you lucky buggers is going to win it! Where are the naysayers now?’

He later posted a video on Instagram Stories in which he addressed ‘all the critics’ who doubted him, and thanked his ‘haters’ for the free publicity.

‘For all the critics and the haters, thank you. A big shout-out for creating a platform for me to absolutely smash this out of the park. Marketing 101, baby. Let’s go!’ he said.

Portelli is buying the home only to hand the keys over to the lucky winner of a competition he is running through his giveaways business LMCT+, a monthly rewards club that gives paying subscribers access to luxury prizes 

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia on Friday afternoon, Portelli said it took him just 20 minutes to decide to buy the home after Sharon and Ankur’s agent contacted him that morning.

He also revealed his interest in House 3 dated back to before auction day when Sharon got in touch to see if he wanted to inspect it.

While he was impressed by their renovation, he didn’t place a bid last Saturday because Omar and Oz’s property selling for such an exorbitant price made him wary.

Portelli also made it clear he was buying the house for his luxury rewards club and not just to ‘clear his name’ – after some viewers falsely accused him of being a dummy bidder.

‘I’m not fussed about all that. To me, that’s just free publicity,’ he added.

Portelli had played a significant role in Omar and Oz’s (pictured) success at auction by pushing Danny Wallis – a frequent buyer of homes on The Block – into paying an extraordinary sum for their property

Portelli, whose club LMCT+ has given out $15million in prizes in the last year, including cars, bikes, boats and houses, also set the record straight on his net worth, reports of which vary from $8million to $350million.

‘A conservative estimate is $500million,’ he revealed.

When asked if he had a message to his doubters, he said confidently: ‘Sit down, shut up and enjoy the show.’

Portelli’s surprise purchase comes after Sharon and Ankur were left heartbroken on auction day.

Their Gisborne home, which they’d spent months renovating amid seemingly endless rows with tradies and weekly budget blowouts, was passed in last weekend after failing to meet its $4.08million reserve.

But they weren’t the only ones left empty-handed, as Jenny Heath and Dylan Adams were dealt similar cards over at House 4 – and are still yet to find a buyer as of Friday afternoon. 

Portelli’s surprise purchase comes after Sharon and Ankur’s Gisborne home, which they’d spent months renovating amid seemingly endless rows with tradies and weekly budget blowouts, was passed in after failing to meet its $4.08million reserve

Inside Sharon and Ankur’s home 

Sharon and Ankur’s House 3, known as ‘Gunyah’, is set on 10 acres and boasts panoramic views of the surrounding Macedon Ranges.

Described as a ‘Victorian-era home with a modern, architectural extension’, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom property is another spectacular design with high ceilings and period details.

Sharon and Ankur’s House 3, known as ‘Gunyah’, is set on 10 acres and boasts panoramic views of the surrounding Macedon Range

The dining table features burnt orange dining chairs while the floors are done in a herringbone style

Described as a ‘Victorian-era home with a modern, architectural extension’, the five-bedroom, three-bathroom property is a spectacular design with high ceilings and period details

The kitchen boasts a five-metre-long marble bench with a contemporary design that features premium Smeg appliances, a butler’s pantry and access to the mudroom and laundry which is complete with dog wash bay. (Pictured: the kitchen)

The master bedroom has a walk-in robe and a double-sided fireplace that can be seen from both the bedroom or the ensuite. Pictured: Master bedroom

The walk-in master wardrobe has plenty of room and space

The kitchen boasts a five-metre-long marble bench with a contemporary design that features premium Smeg appliances, a butler’s pantry and access to the mudroom and laundry which is complete with dog wash bay.

Sharon and Ankur’s renovation also contains five spacious bedrooms, zoned in a separate wing with the second living and media room.  

The master bedroom has a walk-in robe and a double-sided fireplace that can be seen from both the bedroom or the ensuite.

This bathroom is done in an art deco style

The second master has a romantic bay window and sitting area that opens onto a deck

Sharon and Ankur’s renovation also contains five spacious bedrooms, zoned in a separate wing with the second living and media room. (Pictured: the guest bedroom)

Another modern bathroom with some art deco touches is pictured  

The second master has a romantic bay window and sitting area that opens onto a deck.

A heated swimming pool, four-car garage, a shed containing a home office and wood fireplace, a gym and powder room, two water tanks and solar panels are among the other features of this luxurious property.

House 3 was not sold on auction day after failing to meet is $4.08million reserve.

A heated swimming pool, four-car garage, a shed containing a home office and wood fireplace, a gym and powder room, two water tanks and solar panels are among the other features of this luxurious property 

The house also holds two water tanks and solar panels. (Pictured: the laundry)

A spacious study area is perfect for people working from home 

The outdoor swimming pool is seen here

Rachel and Ryan Carr placed second with a profit of $169,000, while Tom Calleja and Sarah-Jane Wilson walked away with just $20,000 – forcing them to sell their car to make up for lost earnings.

The winners were Omar Slaimankhel and Ozman ‘Oz’ Abu Malik, who broke records with the biggest sale in the show’s history after offloading their reno for $5,666,666.

Portelli played a significant role in Omar and Oz’s success by pushing Danny Wallis – a frequent buyer of homes on The Block – into paying an extraordinary sum for their property.

He was only on air for a few minutes but managed to become the most talked-about person of the season as rumours swirled he was ‘mates’ with the Sydneysiders and only took part in the auction to drive up the price.

Portelli was only on air for a few minutes but managed to become the most talked-about person of the season as rumours swirled he was ‘mates’ with the Sydneysiders and only took part in the auction to drive up the price

His aggressive bidding style pushed Wallis (right) into paying an eye-watering $5,666,666.66 for the five-bedroom home

After the finale aired last Sunday, Portelli took to Instagram to deny rumours he was a dummy bidder.

‘For everyone questioning the legitimacy of the auction, I was a genuine buyer with every intention to purchase that property,’ the businessman said.

‘Nobody is to blame for what happened. It’s an auction. Believe it or not, but if you’ve got two people that genuinely want the property, a bidding war will commence.

‘I’m happy to show my bank account for anyone that suggests these were dummy bids.’

From struggling to pay rent to being a millionaire playboy: Inside the ‘rags to riches’ story of The Block’s Mr Lambo

The incredible rags-to-riches story of The Block bidder Adrian Portelli has been revealed, after he made headlines for pushing up the price of Omar and Oz’s home during Sunday’s finale. 

Portelli, 33, an online promotions guru, opened the bidding at $4.5m – far above the $4.08m reserve – and his aggressive style meant eventual buyer Danny Wallis ended up paying $5,666,666.66.

While he may be driving Lamborghinis and bidding on luxury houses these days, life looked very different for him a few years ago.

Portelli’s rags-to-riches story emerged after he made headlines for bidding on Omar and Oz’s home

Portelli dropped out of university to work for his father’s truck repair business.

He then moved to Los Angeles to launch a limousine service for celebrities, but found himself struggling to pay rent.

Portelli posted an advertisement for a flatmate online, and ended up finding someone who helped him develop several successful apps, which he later sold.

‘We created some magic together,’ he told the Herald Sun.

Portelli dropped out of university to work for his father’s truck repair business before moving to LA to launch a limousine service for celebrities, but found himself struggling to pay rent

But his passion was cars and he later founded auto enthusiast club LMCT+ in 2018, which has now become Australia’s largest and fastest-growing car community.

He also runs his own promotions and giveaway business, focusing on luxury vehicles and prestige houses.

Portelli is the owner of The Little Legends Foundation, which provides urgent medical care and offers experiences for vulnerable children.

Portelli posted an advertisement for a flatmate online, and ended up finding someone who helped him develop several successful apps, which he later sold 

Portelli, who arrived at The Block auctions last weekend in a yellow Lamborghini and seemed to know Omar and Oz well, helped the pair become instant millionaires with total winnings of $1,686,666.66 – the biggest victory in the show’s 18-year history.

Following their win, some fans speculated the auction was ‘dodgy’ and that Portelli was ‘set up’ to force Wallis into spending more. But an equal number of viewers refuted this, saying the boys won fairly and calling out the criticism as ‘racist’.

His purchase of House 3, however, has finally put these rumours to rest. 

Portelli founded auto enthusiast club LMCT+ in 2018, which has now become Australia’s largest and fastest-growing car community

Portelli, who arrived at The Block auctions in a yellow Lamborghini, opened the bidding on House 5 at $4.5m