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MAFS’ Lucinda reveals major new role on MAFS UK: ‘It’s official’

by Rachel Choy

We’re being blessed with former Married At First Sight (MAFS) contestant Lucinda Light’s dulcet tones again, as she has a brand new gig on MAFS UK. While fans have been calling for Lucinda to become a MAFS expert ever since she wowed audiences last year, she’s finally been tapped for an official role.

Sadly, she won’t be on the actual show as an expert for 2025. Instead, Lucinda is hosting the official companion podcast to MAFS UK, which means hours of her velvety voice for fans to listen to.

“Have you heard? I’m so honoured to be hosting the official MAFS UK weekly podcast! We’re going to have such an amazing time, and I can’t wait to meet the new brides and grooms, as well as some famous faces along the way,” Lucinda wrote on Instagram. “Who’s excited for the new season? Guys, I’m beyond pumped. I reckon this is going to be the best yet!”

She tells Chattr that being given this role was a “deep honour” and will approach the current MAFS UK contestants with care and understanding. “Having gone through the experiment myself, I’m really proud of all the brave souls that have taken on the journey,” Lucinda says.

“I’ll be offering them a fun and non-judgmental space where they can express where they’re at and shake it all out a bit.”

The first episode of MAFS UK has now aired, and drag performer and singer Danny Beard joined Lucinda to dissect it on MAFS UK: It’s Official with Lucinda Light.

Lucinda Light holding card that says MAFS UK It's official with lucinda light
Lucinda Light is one step closer to becoming an expert on MAFS. Image: Instagram

Lucinda opens up about the ‘hardest’ part of MAFS Australia

Olivia Bentley also interviewed Lucinda about her experience on MAFS Australia, and she said the hardest part of filming MAFS was being paired with Tim Smith.

“For me, it was my particular match, just because he wasn’t really into me,” Lucinda admitted. “I mean, it was a bit of an unrequited love story.

“I saw it as an experiment and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity whereby I just wanted to roll up my sleeves and try it from every angle. And I was blessed because I genuinely had a crush. He was a total spunk.”

Lucinda also touched on the topic of reality TV being highly edited and warned viewers not to judge people too harshly.

“It’s a wild ride in there. I mean, one minute out of every 300 minutes makes it to [the] cut. They left out some of my more unbecoming moments,” she said.

“We’ve got to be mindful when we’re watching reality television shows. We’ve got to remember the humanity behind it.”

Now that she’s made her MAFS UK debut, could we see Lucinda back on Aussie screens for MAFS 2026? Fingers crossed!

You can stream Married At First Sight on 9Now.

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The Amazing Race’s Aesha Scott reveals how her Below Deck experience can help her win the show

by Rachel Choy

Beloved Below Deck star Aesha Scott is currently competing on The Amazing Race Australia 2025 with her fiancé Scott Dobson, and they’ve been gliding through challenges with ease. The adorable couple have been taking all the road bumps in their stride, and Aesha tells Chattr her time working on superyachts could give them the edge on their competition.

“On Below Deck, I’m used to trying to complete an hour’s worth of jobs in 10 minutes simultaneously, so working in high stress is my usual fare,” Aesha says. “I think that will help a lot with the race, as you are trying to figure out so much on a huge time crunch!”

The couple have plenty of strengths and has come into the race with confidence.

“I think we can win because we are both pretty all-round capable people who are very competitive,” Aesha admits. “That mixed with a good nose for figuring out new places will do us well, I think.”

It can be risky for a couple in a relationship to compete on The Amazing Race Australia, because you’re put into high-stress situations. In other words, it can really be make or break. However, Aesha believes she will come out of The Amazing Race Australia with a stronger bond with Scott.

“I am so excited to be doing this race! I’ve dreamed of being in the race since I was 13, a long-time fan of the show, so this opportunity is totally surreal. I chose to do it with Scott because we have always had travel and adventure as the centre of our relationship, and what better test of our bond before we get married,” Aesha says.

“I think this is the show where couples are either driven together or torn apart. I’m really, really hoping for the former. I have high hopes, Scott taught me how to paraglide, and that’s a pretty high-stress situation.”

Aesha Scott and Scott Dobson on The Amazing Race Australia 2025
Aesha and Scott on The Amazing Race Australia 2025. Image: Ten

Will Aesha Scott’s fiancé take her last name and become Scott Scott?

Aesha and Scott are set to tie the knot soon, and she says competing on The Amazing Race Australia felt like a pre-honeymoon.

The biggest question fans have, though, is whether Scott will take Aesha’s last name and become Scott Scott. The couple have joked about it in the past, and with the wedding around the corner… are these two going to do the funniest thing ever?

“We had planned to do that for years, but as the date is getting closer, I think Scott is realising how annoying it would be for forms and cards, and everyone thinks you made a mistake,” Aesha spills.

“I feel a change of mind coming, and we will probably just keep our last names.”

We’re still holding out hope. Do it for the plot, Scott Scott!

The Amazing Race Australia airs on Sundays at 7pm and Mondays at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.

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Dom Tomato on the dark horses who could win The Amazing Race Australia

by Danica Baker

Dominic Di Tommaso (Dom Tomato) and Marx Marsters were clearly the strongest physical contenders on The Amazing Race Australia 2025. But, with the parkour pros gone, who’s the team to beat now?

During an interview with Chattr, Dom pointed out that there’s so much more to being successful on The Amazing Race than just strength, and said he thinks dark horses Georgie Tunny and Rob Mills have a great chance at winning the season.

“I think there are a few teams that I think have a high potential of continuing on. When I was racing, I think Georgie and Rob were always in — even watching it back now as well — they’ve always been in that, like, top little bunch. And I think that they could go all the way.”

Georgie and Rob
Georgie and Rob. Image: Ten.

Looking back at his time on the race, Dom said that while speed and strength are great assets for The Amazing Race, contestants who take the opportunity to slow down and think about how to approach a task tend to excel.

“I think reading the clues thoroughly is very important. I often will read things out loud and not really register them internally. So I think that’s one thing that’s definitely a big takeaway. I also think, and just like my father says, just like slowing down and making sure that you do make the right choices is, as you saw, hugely important.”

Dom believes Brendan Fevola could win The Amazing Race Australia 2025

Dom also pointed to Brendan Fevola, who he built a great friendship during filming, as someone he believes can make it far in the competition.

“I admire Fev, but I do think when it comes down to competing, even when he comes up against it, he seems to be able to pull through. Whether it’s the predetermined non-elimination episode, the luck of the Fev finds a way. So I’m pretty hopeful that he and Lenny will be able to also take it all the way.”

The professional athlete commented on Brendan’s decision to run back for Gretal and Epiphany Killeen’s forgotten backpacks, a move that cost them valuable time and caused them to fall behind in the race.

“What really took me was Brendan running back and grabbing their bag for them and falling down the muddy hill with it all. I think that he’s been such, not just a standout racer, but a standout person on the race. He was someone who really made us all feel like a family,” Dom said

“He’s someone I admire very much, and so getting to spend that time and create that bond with him was really special for me.”

The Amazing Race Australia airs on Sundays at 7pm and Mondays at 7:30pm on Channel 10 and 10Play.

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There’s a sneaky clue Robert Irwin will win Dancing With The Stars US

by Rachel Choy

It looks like Robert Irwin is set to follow in his sister Bindi Irwin’s footsteps and become the winner of Dancing With The Stars US. The potential winner has been leaked online, with the Aussie star heavily favoured to take out the Mirrorball Trophy.

Not only did judge Julianne Hough declare Robert’s debut performance “the best first dance [she’d] ever seen on the show”, but he was tied for the best score of the night with 15/20.

Sportsbet has released betting odds, and the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! host is tipped to win. Robert and his partner Witney Carson have odds of $1.57 to win, with Whitney Leavitt trailing behind at $6.50, followed by Alix Earle at $8 and Lauren Jauregui at $8.50.

Betting odds have the following Dancing With The Stars USA contestants in a mid-range, with Dylan Efron at $10, Jen Affleck and Jordan Chiles at $11, Danielle Fishel at $15 and Scott Hoying at $18.

At the bottom end, you have Elaine Hendrix and Hilaria Baldwin with odds of $21, Baron Davis at $36 and Cory Feldman at $46. At the very bottom of the pack is Andy Richter, with extremely low odds of $67 to win.

Robert Irwin on Dancing With The Stars US 2025
Witney Carson and Robert Irwin on Dancing With The Stars US. Image: Hulu / Disney+

How accurate are betting odds when it comes to predicting winners?

Betting odds are quite accurate when it comes to predicting winners, although they aren’t 100 per cent confirmed. However, Sportsbet predicted Kyle Schilling would win Dancing With The Stars Australia 2025, and Parvati Shallow would win Survivor: Australia v The World, and both came out on top.

Sportsbet also successfully predicted who would be in the top three for Survivor: Australia v The World, picking Parvati, Luke Toki and Janine Allis.

In 2024, Nat Thaipun had the best odds to win MasterChef Australia 2024, and Feras Basal for Australian Survivor 2024 — and both ended up winning.

What other signs point to a Robert Irwin win on Dancing With The Stars US?

His sister Bindi won Dancing With The Stars US in 2015 with partner Derek Hough, and her first dance was a Jive — the same as Robert’s.

It would be a sentimental story if Robert swoops in and wins the Mirrorball Trophy a decade after his older sister, and American audiences eat this type of narrative up.

The Dancing With The Stars US Instagram account also shares clips from the show, and Robert’s has been viewed the most so far, with 6.4 million people watching his Jive.

Where can you watch Dancing With The Stars US in Australia?

Sadly, DWTS US is not available to stream in Australia, unless you use a sneaky workaround. It airs on Disney+ in the US, so Aussie fans can use a VPN to change their location to the US and get their fix of Robert Irwin that way. However, accessing geo-restricted content via a VPN can occasionally breach terms of services from streaming platforms, so make sure you check the terms and conditions.

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Did Mel C just cheat on The Voice? Gemma weighs in after shock rule breaking move

by Rachel Choy

The Voice Australia 2025 contestant Gemma Hollingsworth was given a second chance in the competition after coach Mel C broke a major rule.

The contestant lost her battle with NZ singer Cassie Henderson and was eliminated from The Voice, until Mel C abruptly pressed her save button. The only problem? None of the coaches had any saves left. It sparked a flurry of excitement, with Mel justifying her choice by saying Ronan Keating broke the rules last week with Hunter Black, so it was her turn to do so.

Ronan, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Richard Marx also pressed their save buttons, giving Gemma the chance to choose a coach. The contestant ended up sticking with Team Melanie, and says it was a “crazy” moment.

“I was just so shocked. I just did not expect [it], I really thought my time was over, and I was really content with that. And then she clicked save,” Gemma tells Chattr.

“All the rules kind of flew out the window, and [I] was so overwhelmed, but so grateful and blessed that she had decided to save [me], and then all of [the coaches] did.”

Gemma notes that all of the coaches ended up hitting save and agreeing that she was allowed to stay in the competition, so it’s not technically cheating.

However, now that Mel C has an extra person in Team Melanie going into the Knockout Rounds, it will be harder for Gemma to get to the next stage.

“There will be an extra person, so that will make things a bit more difficult,” she admits. “I definitely won’t let [my second chance] go to waste. I was so grateful to be in the position I was. I think so many artists are incredible and would have deserved it as well. So yeah, I’m definitely going to do them proud.”

Gemma Hollingsworth being saved by Mel C on The Voice Australia 2025

Did Gemma consider choosing a new coach on The Voice?

After all four coaches hit their save button and pitched for Gemma to join their team, she did consider leaving Mel for another coach.

“I considered Kate and Ronan for a split second just to maybe try something different,” Gemma admits.

“But then I knew Mel, you know, we’d done the Battle workshop together, and I just felt like she’s such a genuine and down-to-earth artist [and] creator. I just wanted to see… where it would go with her again, and I’m really glad that I picked her.”

Gemma defends Cassie Henderson after ‘industry plant’ rumours

Gemma’s competition, Cassie Henderson, is an independent pop singer from New Zealand. She started her career at 14 on The X Factor New Zealand in 2013, released the single Seconds to Midnight in 2024, and opened for two of Alex Warren’s shows in New Zealand this year.

Cassie Henderson and Gemma Hollingsworth on The Voice Australia 2025

She also won the Best Pop Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards in 2025, and some fans questioned why Cassie was allowed to compete on the show with all her experience.

However, Gemma describes Cassie as “down to earth” and believes she deserves to be on The Voice Australia 2025.

“Good on her for giving it a crack here in Australia, I think,” Gemma says. “I think her trying to break her way [into] Australia, I mean, what better opportunity to do it?

“I think she’s definitely deserving of a spot here on The Voice.”

The pair have a solid friendship, and when the singer was originally eliminated, she knew it wouldn’t change anything between the duo.

“I was very content with it. I knew that it wouldn’t affect the friendship of me and Cassie. I think what we built was so much stronger than the Battle,” Gemma adds.

“The outcome that actually happened was honestly perfect for the both of us.”

Gemma and Cassie will now be fighting for a spot during the Knockout Rounds on The Voice Australia 2025.

The Voice Australia continues 7pm on Sundays on Channel Seven and 7plus.

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The Golden Bachelor: Sunny’s daughter initially thought the show was a ‘scam’

by Tahlia Pritchard

A daughter of one of the women set to compete on the upcoming season of The Golden Bachelor has spoken out about how her mum was cast, saying she’s “unlike anyone Australia’s seen on TV before”.

Aussie influencer, Chloe Bunnie, spoke to Chattr after it was revealed her mum Sunny has been cast on the premiere Australian season of The Golden Bachelor, due to air later this year.

Chloe revealed Sunny was approached to go on the show, with the family initially thinking it was a scam.

“She was actually approached to go on the show. At first, I thought it was a scam and didn’t believe it – but once I realised it was real, I told her she had to do it,” Chloe told Chattr. “I mean, what a fun opportunity! It also felt like the universe was reminding her of the amazing things that can happen once you let go of the wrong relationship.”

The Golden Bachelor’s Sunny “made for reality TV”

Unfortunately Chloe kept tight-lipped on where she got to meet the Golden Bachie himself, Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, teasing, “I don’t want to spoil anything so you’ll just have to watch and see!”

Speaking more on her mum, the Aussie lifestyle influencer said Sunny is “unapologetically herself”.

“Mum is unapologetically herself and unlike anyone Australia’s seen on TV before. She’s made for reality TV because she’s so naturally entertaining – fun, loud, and never dictated by society’s rules,” Chloe shared. “She’s inspiring too: a breast cancer survivor, a CEO, and a woman who’s thrived in a male-dominated industry. She wears her heart on her sleeve, which makes her impossible not to love.”

What do we know about The Golden Bachelor so far?

The Golden Bachelor 2025 cast

Bear, 61, will be our first-ever Golden Bachie, and the show has recently released the names and bios of the 20 ladies vying for his heart, ranging in ages from 51 to 66. (Read all about them here.)

Described as a “strong, protective man with deep love for family and adventure”, Bear currently resides in Sydney, and his the father to three sons. Bear lost his wife Audrey in 2011 and prioritised fatherhood above everything else for the years following, but now that his sons are grown, he’s ready to open his heart again.

“It’s quite surreal getting to be Australia’s first Golden Bachelor,” Bear said. “It’s an incredible privilege that 20 remarkable women are willing to come on this journey with me, for all of us to have the courage to open our hearts and take the chance to fall in love again.”

There’s no set air date yet, but the network has teased that the show is “coming soon”, so we’re predicting it may premiere when The Block wraps up, which is usually in early November!

The Golden Bachelor is “coming soon” to Channel 9 and 9now.

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Home and Away fans think they know who’s going to die in the wedding episode and here we go again

by Tahlia Pritchard

It’s not a Summer Bay wedding on Home and Away without tragic consequences: car crashes, deaths, explosions, you know it. The town is cursed when it comes to big events.

Now the show has released a new teaser for 2025’s big wedding between Cash and Eden and it looks as dramatic as previous weddings. Let’s not forget the horrific car crash involving Felicity on her wedding day, or the time Ari died straight after his nuptials.

The promo for the wedding sees Cash and Eden finally get married after years of ups and downs, but just as everyone seems happy, disaster strikes in what looks to be a fatal car crash.

We see an ambulance, a woman running to the scene, a body being covered by a sheet and the dramatic question, “Who won’t make it home?” emblazoned across the screen.

Home and Away fans debate which character will meet their untimely demise and it’s not looking great for Theo

Many fans are thinking the days for Theo may be limited, with popular Home and Away Facebook fan groups stating Matt Evans hasn’t been seen filming for months.

“I am 99% sure that Theo dies in the car accident,” one person stated. “I thought Bree leaves before him but it looks like he does, as I believe it’s Leah running up to him.”

“How did he get into a car accident anyway?” another fan questioned. “It did look like Leah running after the ambulance though.”

“If it is Theo, this is going to be the saddest thing on Home and Away this year, he’s one of my favourite characters,” someone else commented. “I thought his exit was going to be that he leaves with Lacey.”

Which Home and Away character is running to the crash scene? An investigation

There was further speculation on who the woman running to the crash scene was. While many agreed it was probably Leah, other names were thrown out too.

Leah in the 2025 Home and Away finale
Is it Leah running to the crash site? Image: Seven

“I thought it might be Eden running to the scene,” someone commented, with someone else saying, “I heard it’s Levi who dies, and that’s Mac running.”

“At the end it looks like Mac running towards the ambo, I reckon it’s Levi,” another agreed. “It’s Mac,” another stated. “She has the cream jacket on.”

Mac and Levi hug Home and Away finale
Or is Mac the one later running to the crash? Image: Seven

“I think they may have filmed different people running after the ambulance to keep people guessing. Guess we will have to wait and see. I hope it’s not Theo his character is great. A car accident is old hat. Theo deserves something stupendous if it is him,” someone else said.

Other fans were just upset that no one ever really gets a happy ending, especially when it comes to weddings.

Weddings are pretty much the kiss of death on Home and Away. If someone isn’t risking their life getting married, they’ll probably separate a few months later.

“Why do they always do these things at weddings, seriously!” one over-it fan commented. “Can’t anyone have a nice day with no bad juju.”

“A wedding and a car crash… seen that before,” another said, with someone agreeing, “How many friggen car accidents at weddings must they flog.”

“Can’t there be one wedding where nothing extra happens?” someone else asked. “What about just having a nice moment no repercussions to counteract?”

Look, it is a nice thought, but let’s be real, it’d probably make a pretty boring show.

Home and Away airs 7pm Monday to Thursday on Seven and 7plus.

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The Block’s Shaynna Blaze addresses ‘really appalling, disgusting comments’ aimed at her

by Danica Baker

Shaynna Blaze has been a judge on The Block for over a decade, and like many in the spotlight, she knows that notoriety often brings negativity—particularly in the form of online vitriol.

However, with the rise in negative comments that have been directed her way recently, she’s taken to Instagram to call out the trolls.

Shaynna started her video by thanking her followers who share positive messages, before tackling the online hate.

“The other thing is addressing the hateful comments. And I’m not talking negativity, I’m talking really appalling, disgusting comments. And few people have reached out and asked me, ‘How do I cope with this?'” She began.

“It’s not about coping, it’s about how it’s addressed. So, how I see it is that these comments are coming from somebody’s mind and heart. So it starts here, it comes from here, it goes all the way down their arms onto their keyboard, on their phone, their laptop, wherever, and it sits on their screen. They have to see that comment before they push send.”

Shaynna added that she deals with the negativity by keeping a thick skin and refusing to let other people’s opinions hold any weight.

“That is coming from them, and for me, that sits on their screen, it doesn’t come back to me. So whatever these comments are… it doesn’t affect me. I don’t take it on, and I refuse to, and they will be deleted. They will be blocked. I don’t get to it straight away, because I’m living my best life, and I get onto social media when I can; I don’t make it my job.”

Shaynna Blaze thanks her followers who share positive comments

Shaynna went on to say that she recognises that the majority of comments she receives are positive, and said she appreciates that support.

“I just wanted to let you know that I am beyond grateful for the people that follow me, that are positive, that like everything, that are enjoying what I’m doing.

“And, for those that aren’t enjoying it, I hope you move on, and I hope the comments that you’re making, you’re able to reflect on how that’s affecting you, because it’s not affecting me. So I just wanted to let you know that this is a world where there’s a lot of great people, and unfortunately, the minority is slipping through, making it look like the majority.”

Shaynna’s message is a timely reminder that cruel comments land on real people.

The Block 2025 airs on Sundays at 7:30pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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Abbie Chatfield’s boyfriend Adam Hyde opens up about writing hit song for her: ‘Terrified’

by Tahlia Pritchard

Adam Hyde aka Keli Holiday aka one half of Peking Duk has opened up about writing his song ‘Dancing2’ for his girlfriend, beloved reality TV queen Abbie Chatfield.

Since releasing the song, it’s become a viral hit on TikTok and Instagram, and also landed the number one spot on the ARIA singles chart.

An homage to his girlfriend Abbie Chatfield, Adam told Rolling Stone Australia that the song was about “meeting a love that seemed a world away”.

“There’s so much noise and distraction going on constantly as two single people in whatever business you want to call that we’re in,” he explained. “There are people in and out of our lives at different times, trying to find what we are, and just journeying through life in our own way. We were both just dancing through the show as we all are. There was a definitive moment when we decided to connect with each other on an unspoken battlefield and we have been dancing together ever since.”

While Abbie originally uploaded her own reaction to hearing ‘Dancing2’, Adam appeared on The Today Show earlier to spill about the moment he showed her the song for the first time.

@abbiechatfield I love you @keli holiday ♬ original sound – Abbie Chatfield

Adam Hyde/Keli Holiday on the moment Abbie Chatfield first heard ‘Dancing2’

Adam Hyde Abbie Chatfield kissing
Adam called the song a “direct love letter”. Image: Instagram.com

“Initially it was a love letter that I had written for her, then I had written a beat. I always write her love songs and poems. But this one was very different, because I was like, this means something, you know?” Adam said.

“And I remember playing it for her, for the very first time, and I was… not terrified, but I was like, look I could go say a whole spiel about it, or I could just play it. And fast forward a minute, and she was just a beautiful mess on the ground.”

He then said the song ended, and Abbie just wanted him to play it again.

“We played it like, three times back-to-back, and she was just weeping. She got it, she got the message in it, she understood that it was a direct love letter,” he said. “I think those kind of things, that’s bigger than music.”

“I think she’s the most intelligent, beautiful light,” he continued.

Fans of the pair loved seeing the sneak peek into the song and their lives. “Definitely a catchy tune and a lovely story behind the song. Here’s to dancing,” one person commented, with another saying, “He is so lovely! And such a great song.”

Well, it appears as though the bar has finally been lifted off the ground, ladies. About time!

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MKR insider defends Michael’s villain edit: ‘Unfairly set up’

by Danica Baker

An insider has claimed that Gatecrashers Amy and Lara stirred up the most drama on My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025, saying it’s unfair that Michael has been portrayed that way in the edit.

“The saucy divorcees like to dish insults and personal attacks at all the OG contestants, but they like to pretend Michael is the villain,” the insider told Chattr.

“Everybody keeps piling on Michael, but he’s actually a reasonable person, and the producers just like to make drama. He’s outspoken, but so is everyone else around the table.”

The source explained that while they don’t believe Michael deserves the villain label, they also don’t think there are any true villains on MKR 2025.

“Reality TV producers know they need ‘villains’ to get ratings, but Michael is being unfairly set up. There are no ‘villains’ on MKR, and it would be better if everybody just focused on the cooking instead of the catfights,” they said.

Amy and Lara on MKR.
Amy and Lara on MKR. Image: Seven.

Jacinta backs claims there are no villains on MKR 2025

Jacinta — who was the first contestant eliminated on MKR 2025 alongside her cousin Mel — copped flak on social media for being one of this year’s villains.

However, she echoed the insider’s sentiments that this season’s cast generally got along.

“We’re all good friends,” Jacinta told Chattr. “We do chat to everybody, and especially Michael and Rielli, I chat to Rielli quite a bit and I know Mel does too.

“It was a very intense experience that we learned so much, and we actually came out with really good friends from it. Despite what you see on the TV, at the end of the day, we’re all competitive and we’re actually all friends, because we went through something pretty incredible together. So it’s brought us all together.”

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Meet Australia’s Golden Bachelor Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden, who has a heartbreaking backstory

by Danica Baker

Australia’s first-ever lead for The Golden Bachelor has been revealed, and it’s silver-fox Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden.

The 61-year-old father of three will be fronting the show and working his way through potential suitors, with the goal of finding a life partner. [Find out more about his ladies right here!]

Described as a “strong, protective man with deep love for family and adventure”, Bear currently resides in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

“It’s quite surreal getting to be Australia’s first Golden Bachelor,” Bear said. “It’s an incredible privilege that 20 remarkable women are willing to come on this journey with me, for all of us to have the courage to open our hearts and take the chance to fall in love again.”

Here’s everything we know about Australia’s Golden Bachelor Bear.

Has Australia’s Golden Bachelor Barry ‘Bear’ Myrden been married?

Yes, Bear has been married, and his backstory is heartbreaking. Bear was married to Audrey Myrden, who was diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive malignant brain tumour in 2009.

She unfortunately passed away in 2011, and Bear gave a final update about his condition in a Facebook group dedicated to her recovery in November of that year.

“She is not very good and wasn’t expected to last this past weekend. It could be a matter of days, even hours. It is clear that the tumour has come back, and they have exhausted all treatment options. Now it is just a case of keeping her comfortable.”

Bear thanked the group for their “thoughts and prayers”.

Audrey with her and Barry's kids when they were young.
Audrey with her and Barry’s kids when they were young. Image: Facebook.

Does Barry have kids?

He does. Bear has three sons with his late wife: Charlie, Jack, and Declan, whose ages range between 17 and 21.

A source told Daily Mail Australia that his sons aren’t fans of the women Bear’s been dating recently.

“Bear is always complaining that his boys are saying that he is bringing around the wrong of girls that are just too young and hot for him,” the friend said.

“We were always saying that he needs to put on a show like MAFS, so seeing him up for the Bachelor role is no surprise.”

Barry Myrden on a boat with his sons
Barry on a boat with his sons. Image: Facebook.

What does Bear do for work?

Bear’s LinkedIn profile has him listed as an Infrastructure Engineer at Data Centre Management for Woolworths Group.

Previous to that he worked as a Vessel Traffic Services Officers for Port Authority of NSW, and his Facebook page shows that he’s a keen sailor.

Where is Golden Bachelor’s Bear Myrden from?

According to NetworkCanada, Bear is Canadian and moved to Australia with his late wife in 1998. He’s based in Manly on the Northern Beaches.

The Golden Bachelor Australia will air on Channel 9 in 2025.

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Why MKR fans are dubbing it the ‘worst season’ so far

by Tahlia Pritchard

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025 has certainly introduced us to some interesting characters this season, and the introduction of the gatecrashers has only brought more drama.

But is the focus on drama turning fans off from watching the cooking show? MKR fans have started to get vocal on social media about the once-beloved family show manufacturing too much drama in a bid to win over new fans, and accusing the show of “scripting” drama.

“[The] teams are rude, arrogant, egotistical etc. It’s almost like the producers scripted the questions and answers. But no, surely Channel 7 would not stoop to scripting a reality TV show to try boost the ratings. Would they?” one disgruntled fan said on Reddit, saying they’d be switching back over to The Block. “MKR this season seams to spend more time concentrating on the conflicts, insults and rudeness around the table.”

Has MKR taken things too far with the group drama and conflict?

MKR's Michael and Reilli
MKR fans are getting over the dramatic dinner parties. Image: Seven

Fans are becoming more disillusioned with MKR, stating they used to watch it to enjoy talented home cooks do their thing but now the focus on group dynamics and strategic scoring is turning them off.

“This has to up there as the worst MKR season thus far,” one person complained, with someone else saying, “I only hope the next round brings in some better home chefs as this year’s are duds so far, thus the emphasis on drama. Still watching with hope that it gets better.”

“This is exactly why I stopped watching this show. It continued to be more about the personalities and drama than the talent, despite them saying that would stop,” another former fan complained.

“MKR was so much better when it was a cooking show. Now it’s basically MAFS with more dinner parties,” someone else commented.

One viewer pointed out what they thought was really going on with MKR, and look, it’s quite logical.

“It isn’t a cooking show. It is a reality show set at different dinner parties, the cooking is only part of the story and used as a vehicle to progress the drama,” one person stated. “It is not trying to be MasterChef, Channel 7 is targeting the ‘real housewives’ viewer demographic, not the purely cooking interested one.”

MKR contestants refute claims that the show is scripted

MKR's Mel and Jacinta
MKR’s Mel and Jacinta were known as the ‘feisty cousins’. Image: Seven

2025 contestants Mel and Jacinta previously told Chattr that the show is “not scripted” and said emotions get heightened when filming due to the nature of the competition.

“People are definitely passionate when it comes to the show, and you know, emotions can be heightened, and there’s $100,000 at the end of it,” Mel said.

Jacinta added: “We have hours and hours of footage, so how much the audience actually sees compared to what’s actually said at the time as well. So you know, something could be said, but it could be in a different situation [or context].”

The pair also denied claims they were voting strategically in the show in a bid to stay in the competition.

On MKR, there’s a strategic component to the Instant Restaurant rounds, with each team being able to score their competition’s meal, therefore if they wanted to give a competing team a super low score strategically, they could.

“We’re voting the way that we think the score should go, and we are being truthful for what we feel about the food,” Jacinta told Chattr.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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MKR’s Amy and Lara on what Michael is really like and the cast rivalry

by Rachel Choy

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025 gatecrashers Amy and Lara aren’t afraid of a bit of conflict, and they’ve already clashed with Michael at the dinner table. During Danielle and Marko’s Instant Restaurant, Michael was visibly frustrated that Amy and Lara dodged his questions about why they were competing in MKR, and he declared the two saucy divorcees would be the first to go home.

The divorcees tell Chattr they didn’t have the best first impression of Michael and Rielli, with Lara joking their necks “must be sore from looking down on everyone”.

“I think Michael just feels like he’s the captain of this ship, or whatever this is, and it’s like, when did he take over? Is he the self-proclaimed boss of the table?” Amy says. “He unfairly judged us, but I think he just needs a cuddle… it’s like he gets [wound] up, and then he just can’t stop himself.”

Michael labelled Lara a “blonde bimbo” during their first interaction, but the divorcees are quick to point out that Lara is a natural redhead.

“I feel sorry for him,” Lara says. “I don’t actually think he knows what the word bimbo means. I might have to give him a pass at this stage, but he was quick to fire back at me, yeah.”

Amy and Lara on My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025
Amy and Lara are here to win. Image: Seven

Are the MKR gatecrashers going to score the OGs strategically?

There’s a bit of a divide between the MKR gatecrashers and the OG contestants, and it doesn’t look like that’s changing soon.

“1000 per cent there’s going to be some rivalry. I mean, it’s a competition, and it makes sense, and it’s just amusing to sit back and watch [the OGs] just go so basic. It’s so basic,” Amy says, referring to the OGs being critical of gatecrashers Danielle and Marko’s dishes.

“We got the feeling as soon as we sat down, it was gonna be that way,” Lara adds. “I think the judges were on par with our scoring, and then the OGs, they just low-balled. That was a bit disappointing.”

However, Amy and Lara plan on scoring all of the teams — including the OGs — fairly instead of strategically.

“At the end of the day, it is a cooking competition and we wouldn’t [score unfairly]. What do they say? Do unto others as you’d like to be treated,” Amy declares. “It should be fair, because it’s a competition and all that strategic scoring, we don’t want a part of it… it’s about the food, not the drama. We’re here for cooking, so we judge fairly.”

Lara also notes that if you start getting messy and scoring badly, it could come back to bite you in the end.

“We don’t want the karma coming back at us and then having them lowball us. We just want to make it as fair as possible,” Lara says.

The saucy divorcees Amy and Lara are yet to cook on MKR, but with Amy’s background as a private cook, they’re definitely a pair to watch.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Who are MKR’s Danielle and Marko? What we know about the happy couple

by Rachel Choy

The gatecrashers have arrived on My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025, and happy couple Danielle and Marko have already received the best score of the competition so far.

The 26-year-olds from Western Australia are super bubbly and positive, but make no mistake — they’re here to win. The couple met at a music festival seven years ago, and now live together in Perth with Marko’s family.

With Marko’s Serbian background and Danielle’s Chinese heritage, the keen home cooks are going to bring plenty of flavour and spice to the competition.

Here’s everything we know about MKR’s happy couple Danielle and Marko

Marko works as a truck driving assessor and instructor, while Danielle is a project officer for a company supporting people with disabilities who are looking for employment in Australia. Danielle is also a budding influencer, and you can find her reviewing bars and restaurants on social media.

“My parents inspired my love of cooking. There is nothing better than a good home-cooked meal,” Danielle says.

“MKR combines so many things that I love: competing, cooking, travelling, meeting new people and getting to spend time with Marko.”

Marko believes he works so well with Danielle in the kitchen due to their “chill” relationship. “We both try to stay as chill as possible and not boss each other around. Once stress enters the kitchen, you don’t cook to your full potential,” he says.

Danielle adds that while she is better with the technical side of cooking, Marko has a “good understanding” of flavours.

Marko and Danielle's instant restaurant on My Kitchen Rules MKR 2025
Marko and Danielle’s Instant Restaurant was a hit. Image: Seven

What did Danielle and Marko cook for their MKR Instant Restaurant?

Danielle and Marko were first to cook in MKR‘s second Instant Restaurant round, and they set the bar extremely high. The pair served a Spicy Ahi Tuna on Crispy Rice for their entree, Pork Belly with Noodles for their main, and Miso Brownies with Sesame Ice Cream and Miso Caramel Sauce for dessert.

The WA couple received a total of 84/110 for their delicious feast.

Will Danielle and Marko get along with any of the other MKR contestants?

Danielle and Marko are closest in age to Lol, 26, and Lil, 25, and seem to have similar personalities.

After Lil met the MKR gatecrashers for the first time, she told Chattr she had a good feeling about Danielle and Marko.

“I think we’ll get along with the young couple, and then possibly the two boys [Mark and Tan] as well,” Lil spilled.

Will Danielle and Marko keep their place on top of the leaderboard? With five more couples to cook for a spot in the competition, anything could happen.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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What rules do MKR contestants have to follow and how much are they paid?

by Rachel Choy

The new season of My Kitchen Rules 2025 (MKR) has already kicked off with a knife fight, and the drama is just beginning. However, there is some method to the madness, with producers putting strict rules in place for the cooks.

Contestants Michael and Rielli have lifted the lid on what really happens behind the scenes on MKR, including whether contestants have to follow rules in the kitchen, how much they’re paid, and whether anyone has to eat cold food.

How much are MKR contestants paid?

Michael and Rielli wouldn’t give an exact figure for compensation, but confirmed that the cooks are paid for their time on the cooking show.

“I would say that the pay is reasonable, definitely livable, and yeah, very fair,” Michael says mysteriously.

In 2019, Piper O’Neill competed on MKR, and at that time, said she received $1000 per week by Channel Seven. “I was paid $500 per week for being on the show,” she said in a claim made to the Personal Injury Commission of NSW.

“I was given an additional $500 a week for food for myself to eat and to aid in the purchase of food that would need to be bought and to practice cooking for the show.”

Anne and Maree's Instant Restaurant on My Kitchen Rules MKR
Anne and Maree’s Instant Restaurant. Image: Seven

What rules do MKR contestants have to follow in the kitchen?

Rielli tells Chattr there are “so many rules” the contestants have to follow in the kitchen, especially when it comes to hygiene.

“Even before cooking, you have to have your hair up, you have to have your fingers and hands well groomed, and you always have to be constantly washing your hands,” she says.

“You’re feeding people at the end of the day so there’s definitely health regulations.”

Is there a limit on the amount of alcohol MKR contestants can drink?

Jacinta and Mel tell Chattr there isn’t a copious amount of alcohol served on MKR. “What we’re given at the start of the show is what’s there, and then that’s it,” Jacinta spills. “Nobody’s drinking more than they should, because that’s what we’ve got at the start of the night and that’s what we work with.”

Mel jumps in and says: “Most of us don’t really drink that much. I think most of us have about a couple of glasses of wine for a restaurant. But the producers, they also keep an eye on anything.”

How long are MKR filming days?

Some of the days on set can be rather long, with the Instant Restaurant round taking a while to film.

“Filming days can be quite long. I probably couldn’t put it into an exact time frame, but they’re definitely long days and you can be quite tired,” Mel admits. “But you’re also excited, it’s an awesome opportunity to be involved in.”

Are there any limitations on what MKR contestants can cook?

Contestants on MKR have complete control over what they decide to cook, with one caveat: each element of the dish, including pastry, pasta, and stocks, must be made in the kitchen.

“You can’t have any pre-bought stuff. Like my beef stock, I had to make it from bone. If you’ve got pasta, you’ve got to make it,” Michael spills.

Sounds like there are no shortcuts on MKR! “It’s fully about cooking,” Rielli adds. “Everything has to be made from scratch.”

Justin and Will on My Kitchen Rules MKR
Justin and Will in the kitchen. Image: Seven

Do MKR contestants have to quit their jobs to go on the show?

Contestants don’t necessarily have to quit their jobs to go on MKR, but they do need to take some leave.

“You don’t have to quit [your job] if you have a good boss,” Lol tells Chattr. “Maybe, if you don’t have a good boss, you might have to quit.”

Do MKR contestants ever have to eat cold or raw food?

Rielli tells Chattr that a duo could potentially serve raw food later in the season, which has us intrigued.

“Theoretically, a contestant could serve raw food. You never know, that kind of thing can happen,” Rielli teases. “Might have to watch the rest of the season.”

Mel and Jacinta on MKR 2025
Mel and Jacinta on My Kitchen Rules. Image: Seven

Michael also adds that sometimes contestants end up having to eat cold food if the timing of the cook doesn’t go perfectly.

“It all depends on the actual cooks and how quickly they can prepare it and plate it,” he says, before Rielli adds, “It’s a production at the end of the day. And you know what? Not everything comes out [at a] speedy time, because we are just normal everyday people trying to cook for 12 people. That’s craziness.”

We’ll have to keep an eye out during the rest of the My Kitchen Rules season to see if anybody serves up a stone-cold dish.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Who are MKR’s Amy and Lara? What we know about the saucy divorcees

by Rachel Choy

We may have said goodbye to My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025 ‘villains’ Jacinta and Mel, but there’s a new pair in the kitchen ready to bring the heat: gatecrashers Amy and Lara. The saucy divorcees made a dramatic entrance, giving meat master Michael quite the stare-down.

The mums have only been friends for two years, but have a really strong connection. Lara describes herself as “dry-witted, confused and calculating”, while Amy says she’s “funny, chill and cuts to the chase”.

Amy and Lara enjoy whipping up delicious meals in the kitchen, and both say they were self-taught. It looks like Amy might be the one to ruffle a few feathers, with Lara describing her as “danger, high voltage” and warning contestants to “proceed with caution!”.

Here’s everything we know about MKR’s saucy divorcees Amy and Lara

Amy works as an occasional private cook, but prefers to describe herself as a stay-at-home mum going through a divorce. Her friend Lara is a tech consultant who sees creating dishes as a great counterbalance to her office work.

“I’ve loved cooking since I was little and wanted to be a baker by the time I was two. I grew up on a farm, where I loved cooking with homegrown food and catching fresh food,” Amy says.

Lara developed her love of food from watching her parents entertain guests. “Dad was the freestyle ‘a bit of this, a bit of that’ type cook, while mum was recipe faithful. I’m the hybrid child of both,” Lara says. “[I’m] self-taught, kitchen-trained and family-tested. I learned through curiosity, repetition, and trial and error.”

Saucy Divorcee Amy MKR 2025 gatecrasher
Image: Instagram
Saucy Divorcee Lara MKR 2025 gatecrasher
Image: Instagram

Is MKR gatecrasher Amy a professional chef?

Amy is a private cook but not a qualified chef, which means she’s allowed to compete on MKR. A bio on Instagram shared by Ford PR reveals she has cooked for some extremely high-profile clients, including Kerry Packer, Chris Hemsworth, and Lorna Jane. So, she won’t be intimidated by Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge on the show.

“From the tender age of two, Amy’s fascination with baking led her to dream of creating delectable treats, filling her home with irresistible aromas. Inspired by her mother’s expertise, she spent countless hours in the kitchen, eagerly absorbing techniques and flavours,” the post reads.

“Having served esteemed clients such as Liam Talbot, Brisbane Bullets basketballer Aron Baynes, and the owners of Good Price Pharmacy, Hanh Luu and Anthony Yap, Amy has honed her skills in providing personalised experiences tailored to the unique preferences of each of her clients. Her tenure as a Private Cook for high-profile identities like Kerry Packer, Chris Hemsworth and Lorna Jane, underscores her ability to uphold confidentiality while delivering impeccable service.”

Who will MKR’s Amy and Lara clash with on the show?

With Amy’s large personality, it’s possible she will clash heavily with Michael, especially since his main sparring partner, Jacinta, has left.

Lol and Lil also told Chattr they weren’t sure if they would get along with Amy and Lara after meeting them at Jacinta and Mel’s house.

“The saucy divorcees, shall we call them? Not sure how we feel about them at this stage,” Lol admitted.

Will Amy and Lara be able to top the leaderboard of the second Instant Restaurant round? Only time will tell.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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Ben and Emma think their ‘second place streak’ could pay off at The Block auction

by Danica Baker

The Block‘s Ben and Emma may have repeatedly missed out on bagging a room reveal win and taking home the $10,000 cash prize. However, the married couple believes their near-misses could lead to a win on auction day.

During the first seven weeks of The Block, Emma and Ben have come in second place four times, as well as coming runner-up in the Hepburn Spa Challenge.

While the bubbly couple admitted that it was disappointing to miss out on the win during an interview with Chattr, they had a positive outlook, saying that consistently having great rooms could lead to their house selling for the most on auction day.

“Every week we just aim to put our best room forward and hope that we get strong scores,” Ben explained.

“It became hard not getting the cash to help us do better rooms in the following weeks. But we just knew that we had to be consistent. That’s what we wanted. We wanted a consistent, coherent house all the way through.”

Shelley Craft and Scotty Cam with Ben and Emma.
Shelley Craft and Scotty Cam with Ben and Emma. Image: Nine.

Emma said that while they might not be taking out weekly wins, their focus has always been on building a strong, cohesive home.

“We were just always thinking of the end user,” she said. “I think you can play one of two games with The Block, you play the game for the end use, or you play the game to impress the judges each week, and sometimes [the former is] a bit of a roll of the dice.

“You can go really good one week and then bomb out the next. Whereas Ben and I, we just trying to make a really solid, consistent house, which I think is what we’ve created.”

Emma and Ben.
Emma and Ben. Image: Nine.

How do The Block auctions work?

Once the Blockheads have finished renovating their hours, each is set a reserve price. In the past, reserves have varied depending on the size of the homes. But because every place has the same floor plan this year, it’s likely that the reserves will all be around the same price.

On audition day, buyers bid for the houses, and the contestants get to take home whatever the house sells for over reserve. If a house doesn’t sell for above its reserve, it will be passed in and later sold on the open market like a standard property sale. The contestants will still take home any amount the house sells for above the reserve.

The team’s house that sells for the most over the reserve will also receive an additional $100,000 prize money.

The Block 2025 airs on Sundays at 7:30pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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Meet the MKR Gatecrashers

by Danica Baker

Three new teams are joining My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025 as Gatecrashers, joining Michael and Rielli, Maria and Bailey, and Lol and Lil as they travel across Australia for round two of the Instant Restaurants.

Just moments after Mel and Jacinta were eliminated from the competition after scoring the lowest on the MKR leaderboard in round one, Danielle and Marko, Mark and Tan and Amy and Laura were introduced.

MKR 2025 OG team, Lol and Lil narrowly missed out on being the first team eliminated, after scoring the second lowest in round one. So, the girls had better hope that one of the newcomers takes the heat off them in the next round.

Speaking to Chattr, Lol and Lil seemed to only warm to one of the three teams of Gatecrashers.

“The saucy divorcees shall we call them? Not sure how we feel about them at this stage,” Lol said of Amy and Lara.

“The two boys at the end, I feel like they’re definitely going to be a threat,” Lil chimed in, referring to Mark and Tan. She added that she and Lol got along best with “the young couple”.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the MKR 2025 Gatecrashers.

Danielle, 26 and Marko, 26

Danielle and Marko on MKR 2025

Danielle and Marko have been dating for seven years after meeting at a music festival. Danielle already has a taste for the food scene, reviewing Perth’s restaurants and bars on social media as a side hustle.

Danielle credits her parents for sparking her love of food. “My mum and dad inspired my passion for cooking. To me, nothing compares to a good home-cooked meal.”

Marko shares a similar story, drawing inspiration from his Serbian heritage. “Growing up in a Serbian household, I learned much of my cooking from my dad. My passion and skills grew through trial and error, creativity, and simply observing what works.”

Mark, 35 and Tan, 27

MKR 2025 Mark and Tan Gatecrashres

Mark and Tan are competitive mates who met five years ago at a martial arts event.

Mark loves cooking and was a a former personal trainer who now runs his own sports and gym consulting business. However, it sounds like Tan will be doing the heavy lifting in the kitchen, as owns a thriving hospitality business, managing three bars in Adelaide.

Thai-born Tan, who moved to Australia when he was three, and Marko both plan to focus on Thai-inspired dishes during their time on MKR.

“On MKR, we’re primarily focusing on Thai cuisine, so we aim to highlight the importance of family, culture, and food,” Mark said.

Amy, 45 and Lara, 36

Amy and Lara on MKR 2025 as Gatecrashers

Amy and Lara are mums from Queensland who have only known each other for two years, but are hoping to make a splash in the MKR kitchen.

Amy is a self-taught, occasional private cook, while Lara is a tech consultant.

“I’m a self-taught cook. As a little girl, I watched my mother cook, always sitting on the bench, helping her,” Amy said, potentially downplaying her experience as a private chef.

Meanwhile, Lara described herself as “self-taught,” saying her love of cooking was ingrained from an early age. “Dad was the freestyle, ‘a bit of this, a bit of that’ type of cook, while Mum was recipe-faithful. I’m the hybrid child of both,” she explained.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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The Block 2025: Steph and Gian know which house will win this year

by Rachel Choy

The Block 2025 winner will be determined by a live auction, but former winners Steph and Gian Ottavio already know which house will sell for the most money.

On Shelley Craft’s official The Block podcast, Steph and Gian joined her to chat about the show, and the couple weren’t shy about which house they would have chosen if they were contestants this year.

“Absolutely [House] 5. There is no other option,” Steph said, before Gian agreed, saying he thought House 5 was “the best”.

Steph is an architect, so she had some thoughts about the layout of The Block and tipped Robby and Mat as the future winners for 2025.

“I personally know the house that is going to win before anyone did anything to it. From the orientation,” Steph claimed. “You’ve got five houses, all with the same floor plan. The one on the end that overlooks the national park so that no one can obstruct your view, naturally, then would have the best sunlight and the way in which the sun hits that space and just the landscaping, the portals and everything, that’s created by not having a neighbour on one side, it’s an obvious no-brainer.”

Steph stressed her choice wasn’t based on any of the contestants or who she liked the most from her visit to site, but because of the bones of the houses.

“The way we look at property is the things that you cannot change and you can’t change the site conditions and that is why House 5 will win,” she added.

Robby and Mat on The Block 2025
Are Robby and Mat going to win The Block 2025? Image: Nine

What does Gian like about Robby and Mat’s House 5?

Gian also picked Robby and Mat to take away the grand prize, because they are “thinking outside the box”.

“They were gonna have an added amenity in that wine cellar, that if 100 people were walking through five houses, that was the one that would stick in their heads, because no one else has utilised the space like that,” he told Shelley.

However, Emma and Ben decided to add a “wine storage room” below their house, which kicked off a whole cheating scandal.

“I think copying is the biggest form of flattery. I don’t believe in copying. If you see someone is doing something exceptional, be better, be faster, be more creative. Do something to one-up that. Don’t just try and do an inferior version of it,” Mat told Chattr.

At least Robby and Mat have Steph and Gian’s stamp of approval, whether or not there’s a copycat on The Block.

The Block 2025 airs on Sundays at 7:30pm and Monday – Wednesday at 7pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.

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MKR’s Jacinta and Mel explain shock decision to serve meat

by Rachel Choy

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) 2025 contestants Jacinta and Mel have been at the centre of many heated discussions, mostly due to their outspoken nature and Jacinta’s restrictive plant-based diet. While contestants were expecting a full vegetarian meal at their Instant Restaurant, the feisty cousins shook things up by serving a meat-heavy braised beef with black rice, lime and corn salad with coconut roti.

Jacinta tells Chattr she believes the contestants and viewers would likely have been “surprised” by their meat-heavy dish, but it’s a dish Mel personally loves to cook and eat.

“I don’t cook meat in my everyday life, so when Mel and I, the way we cook together is Mel would do her portion if she wanted to eat meat, only for the reason [that] I like to taste as I cook,” Jacinta says.

“But the dish that we made, Mel loves. So it just makes sense… we’re a team, and she loves to eat that, so it’s not like we [did] it to cause any more drama, obviously.”

Jacinta tells us she wished they had plated up a different dish, but from what Chattr understands, contestants put forward different recipe options, and producers have the final say.

“[Everybody would have been] surprised with what was chosen for the first meal. There were other meals that Mel and I would have rather cooked, because we had some pretty exciting plant-based sort of dishes,” Jacinta explains.

Mel and Jacinta knew there would be quite a reaction at the dinner table when the guests realised they were being served braised beef, with the self-proclaimed meat master, Michael, judging them heavily.

“They [would have been] a bit shocked with that, just because obviously it’s been quite the big talk around the table that because [Jacinta doesn’t eat] meat, so for us to then serve up our main dish to be a meat-heavy component… it’ll definitely [have] set some tongues wagging around the table,” Mel adds.

MKR 2025 Mel and Jacinta with the judges at their Instant Restaurant
Jacinta and Mel serving the judges at their Instant Restaurant. Image: Seven

What went wrong with Mel and Jacinta’s Instant Restaurant?

In the end, it wasn’t just Mel and Jacinta’s burnt meat dish that let them down — the MKR judges and other contestants also gave their tofu mocha mousse with coffee liqueur and coconut sauce a thumbs-down.

At one point, Manu Feildel placed his spoon into the glass and then waved the entire dessert around in the air to show how solid it was. Michael and Rielli declared they didn’t like the dessert, while Lil couldn’t contain her glee in seeing her competition fail at the final hurdle.

In the end, Mel and Jacinta scored a lowly 50 for their Instant Restaurant, compared to Lil and Lol’s 64, and they were sent packing.

My Kitchen Rules (MKR) airs on Monday and Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus.

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