One couple quits The Block mid-way through filming. So what happened?

If you're a big fan of reality TV, it's probably safe to say you live for the drama. A plot twist at the final hour, a surprising reveal no one sees coming. A little scheming, perhaps.

When it comes to The Block's 20th season, executive producer Julian Cress confirmed we're in for a gossipy treat when one of the five teams "dramatically" exits the show, mid-way through production on Phillip Island. 

"The Block certainly didn't turn out to be a holiday for everybody," Cress told TV Tonight. "We didn't make it through the whole series with all five teams. We had to replace one of them along the way.

"[We had] a team deciding to depart the show, a fair way in to the renovation, and then have another team come in and take over that build when quite a few rooms had already been revealed. That's never happened before."

"Their reasons for leaving are pretty remarkable. I think it will start a very interesting conversation amongst the audience," he continued.

"It was a very difficult decision for them to come to, but there was a very strong reason why they decided to do it and very dramatic and will be unfolding in the coming weeks."

The Block is heading to Island Cove Villa on Phillip Island. Image: Channel Nine.

Who quits The Block 2024?

In the opening scenes of The Block on August 12, Channel Nine hinted that young Perth couple Jesse and Paige might just be the team who exit the show early. 

In a short montage, the show depicted the couple maneuvering some increasingly stressful scenes in the lead-up to a grand meltdown.

"They're setting out on this journey with an impressive dose of confidence," host Scott Cam narrated, as sinister reality TV music played in the background. And how we love the sinister music!

This was followed by a breakdown montage, featuring time-stamps all the way up to Day 29 (so, about halfway through the renovation, when the couple is rumoured to quit).

"I'm just not happy here," Paige is heard saying, before a clip plays of someone yelling "then walk out man."

If it's not going to be Jesse and Paige, then Channel Nine are engaging in some serious misdirection. Which would be kind of genius.

But one thing is for certain: someone is leaving The Block well before their house is complete. Seems like they took the phrase "tools down" quite literally.

Jesse and Paige were featured in a suspicious opening scene. Image: Channel Nine.

In an interview with Mamamia, Jesse and Paige revealed their biggest weakness in the competition is their "perfectionist" tendencies. 

"Our greatest weakness as a team is that we are the biggest perfectionists," they shared.

"On The Block, you have to be able to adapt and compromise at a second's notice, so being die-hard perfectionists worked against us on the occasion."

Viewers have certainly seen drama unfold already as a result of Jesse and Paige's perfect plans not going exactly how they pictured. 

Could tension surrounding their foiled renovation plans lead to their eventual exit? We won't know for certain until the episodes air.

The Block Cast 2024 Jesse and Paige, Courtney and Grant, Ricky and Haydn, Kylie and Brad, Kristian and Mimi. Image: Channel Nine.

Has anyone quit The Block before?

Of course, we've seen a team quit the show before. 

In 2022, Elle Ferguson and Joel Patfull left after just a couple of days. They reportedly left without telling anyone, calling production afterwards to say they wouldn't be returning.

"Where you are in the world. Whatever you are doing. Family always comes first," Elle wrote in an Instagram post shortly after departing the set. 

The couple later said they left the show after Joel's mother suffered significant injuries in a fall. 

However, host Scott Cam wasn't quite supportive of this version of events.

"They didn't give us a reason why they were leaving," he told Woman's Day, adding that the couple had said they felt the show wasn't "on brand" for them.

"That was her words. And look, we're only renovating, it's not the end of the world, but if you come in with a good old-fashioned spirit and have a crack like the others did, you’ll get it done."

Joel and Elle pulled out of The Block just a couple of days in. Image: Channel Nine.

This year, the couple who leave under mysterious circumstances are still on good terms with the rest of the cast. 

"They're awesome. We're all friends. They do make a return to the show before it’s over. They're very glad for all the support they were given, and believe that they made the right decision," Cress told TV Tonight.

The Block airs Sunday to Wednesday, 7:30pm, on Channel Nine.

Feature Image: Nine Network.

Do you have any Streaming Video Services in your household? e.g. Netflix, Stan, etc. We want to hear from you! Take our survey now to go in the running to win a $100 gift voucher.