As the 2026 season of The Block draws to a close, the cast has opened up about what they really think about Adrian Portelli’s apparent auction snub.

After the controversial ‘Block bidder’ revealed earlier this year that he would not take part in this year’s auction, speculation mounted that he had been asked by Nine not to return.

Speaking to Daily Mail at Nine’s Upfronts event in Sydney on Wednesday, cast members shared their thoughts on Portelli’s absence.

Emma and Ben appeared to have differing opinions on the situation, with Ben saying: ‘I don’t think he’s coming, which is a shame for everyone.’

Emma, however, had a different take, interjecting with: ‘I think it’s great – it opens up the door for others.’

It was a similar sentiment shared by Robby and Mat, who welcomed a more open auction field.

The Block cast has opened up about what they really think about Adrian Portelli’s apparent auction snub

‘It opens the door for bigger and better players,’ Mat said.

Sonny and Alicia, meanwhile, took a more laissez-faire approach to the situation.

‘They’ve just asked to keep it open for everybody,’ Alicia said.

‘He’ll do whatever he wants and I’m sure he’d be welcomed if he came.’

Sonny added: ‘If he was to show up and buy someone’s house, so be it.’

Adrian, 36, made TV history in 2024 when he purchased all five Phillip Island properties on the renovation show for more than $15 million.

Earlier this year, the controversial Block bidder said he would not return, fuelling speculation that the network had shown him the door.

Last week, Scott Cam opened up about rumours surrounding Adrian being banned from the show.

‘We didn’t ban him; that’s something he [Portelli] said,’ Scott announced during Thursday’s episode of Fox 101.9’s Fifi, Fev and Nick brekkie show.

Emma and Ben appeared to have differing opinions on the situation, with Ben saying: ‘I don’t think he’s coming, which is a shame for everyone’

It was a similar sentiment shared by Robby and Mat, who welcomed a more open auction field. ‘It opens the door for bigger and better players,’ Mat said

Scott continued: ‘It’s a public auction, anyone can turn up, we just kindly said, “What do you reckon… you had a good run on the auctions, why don’t we leave it to some families to try and buy the houses”.’

Elsewhere in the chat, Scott made a veiled reference to Portelli’s sponsorship of Seven’s upcoming reality series My Reno Rules, which was announced in July, but has suffered a series of setbacks since.

‘[I] think Adrian has gone over to another network to do something anyway, so he wouldn’t be coming to our auction if he’s doing something over there,’ Scott said, adding: ‘If he wants to turn up, he can.’

Scott also dismissed a suggestion from host Brendan ‘Fev’ Fevola that Portelli had ‘scared’ off notorious Block bidder Danny Wallis, who has spent more than $30 million buying property on the show.

‘He hasn’t been scared, Danny,’ Scott insisted.

‘He’s a good bloke and he makes a lot of those houses available for My Room. He’s a good bloke and if he wants to buy another house like that, that’d be terrific for us.’

Regardless of Portelli’s attendance at the upcoming auction, the homes still have to sell. So, how are the cast feeling about their chances?

‘It’s pretty gut-wrenching stuff, you put your heart and soul into it but yeah, very nervous.,’ Perth hopeful Taz told Daily Mail at the Upfronts on Wednesday.

Sonny and Alicia, meanwhile took a more laissez-faire approach to the situation

‘They’ve just asked to keep it open for everybody,’ Alicia said. ‘He’ll do whatever he wants and I’m sure he’d be welcomed if he came.’ Sonny added a pragmatic: ‘If he was to show up and buy someone’s house, so be it.’

Portelli, 36, made TV history in 2024 when he purchased all five Phillip Island properties on the renovation show for more than $15 million.

The nerves are also strong in camp Han and Can, however, the Perth couple remain quietly confident.

‘Excited, nervous, all the normal human emotions one would be feeling, but we’re ready to have a party and go out with a bang, so bring on the buyers,’ Can said.

Han added: ‘If we don’t win, we’ll be off to Bali and if we win, we’ll be off to Japan.’

Emma and Ben revealed that they remain ‘confident’ of a good result come auction day, while Robby and Mat revealed they are taking a ‘wait-and-see approach.’

‘We’re nervous but what will be will be. We’ve presented a beautiful house,’ Mat said.

Sonny and Alicia admitted that they were ‘ready’ for a successful auction, albeit with a dash of nerves.

‘We’re apprehensive like everyone, but we’re confident – we’ve got the right agents on the job, we’ve got a beautiful house – let’s hope it sells next week.’