Tanya and Vito’s involvement in The Block’s biggest-ever cheating scandal, which saw them acquire a confidential production schedule, has disgruntled fans – with many calling for their removal.
And while host, Scott Cam, has done his best to resolve the issue, New Idea’s on-set spy says the Blockheads remain so divided by the fallout that the 2021 auction day could be at risk!
Watch: The Block’s Tanya and Vito reveal the truth about the cheating scandal
“The angst that has come from this saga is mounting,” tells an insider, who says for the first time in The Block’s near-decade history, the contestants are so divided they may refuse to come together for the blockbuster finale episode.
“Tanya and Vito are understandably very upset and shell-shocked by it all.”
Indeed, reliving the drama months after the original incident occurred has been emotionally exhausting for the couple.
“Unfortunately, egos have been bruised, reputations questioned and it’s uncertain whether or not all five couples will be able to sit in the same room and pretend everything is fine – because they are not!” says the insider.
“The other contestants also feel jaded by the whole thing and would prefer not to have to come face to face to endure more bickering.”
The Block’s auction is scheduled for later this year and will hopefully see the teams’ hard work pay off – despite the harsh accusations that have surfaced this year.
What’s more, it’s not just the Blockheads who are struggling to reconcile. The insider explains that Tanya, 39, and Vito, 44, are also miffed with producers – which could cause issues for their return.
Tanya, a Melbourne-based makeup artist, did not hold back in a recent interview, where she implied the whole saga might have been set up by clever crew.
“Most of us came by [the schedule] because it was right by the toilet, it was right there on a massive board. It was right there in front of us, so I felt very singled out, like I was the only one who saw it, but plenty of others used the toilet that day,” she said, adding, “It felt almost like it could have been set up.”
The insider says the polarising pair might pull the plug on a finale appearance, and instead opt to attend virtually to avoid the drama. “Tanya and Vito have really suffered enough.”
Read more in this week’s New Idea, on sale now