The biggest names on SAS Australia have been known to rake in a lot of money for their time on the show. However, that apparently wasn’t the cast for convicted drug smuggler Cassie Sainsbury.
Initial reports suggested that Sainsbury was paid more than other cast members for her part on SAS Australia, but a “well-placed media source” has debunked that.
“The network didn’t have to pay more as everyone knew Cassie needed the show more than the show needed her,” the source told Yahoo Lifestyle Australia.
SAS Australia. Seven.
“Since her initial tell-all chats when she returned to Australia, the offers have dried up and she’s struggled finding work. This was her one opportunity to show Australia the real her and hopefully move on with her life.”
How much was she paid?
The source said that Sainsbury’s paycheck for the gig was $40,000, which is slightly higher than the rumoured average of $30,000 per contestant.
How far did Cassie Sainsbury get on SAS Australia?
Despite being one of the main drawcards for SAS Australia 2023, Sainsbury voluntarily withdrew in. the second episode.
“It is probably one of the first times in a long time that I feel proud of myself in the sense of facing everything I didn’t ever want to see again,” Sainsbury said in her exit interview.
“When I leave the SAS course ‘Cocaine Cassie’ dies there. That’s it. She doesn’t follow me around anymore.”
SAS Australia. Seven.
Who’s left on SAS Australia?
So far, Boyd Cordner, LindyKlim, Cassie Sainsbury and Jason Akermanis have tapped out of the recruiting course. That means the following contestants still remain in the running:
Abbey Holmes, 32 – AFL Field Commentator
Anthony Mundine, 47 – World Champion Boxer
Dr Craig Challen, 57 – Thai Cave Rescue Hero
Craig McLachlan, 57 – Actor
Mahalia Murphy, 29 – International Rugby Star
Matthew Mitcham, 35 – Olympic Gold Diver
Peter Bol, 29 – Olympic Runner
Stephanie Rice, 34 – Olympic Gold Swimmer
Tim Robards, 40 – OG Bachelor
Zima Anderson, 25 – Actress
SAS Australia 2023 continues on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7.30 pm on 7 and 7Plus.
Celebrity Gogglebox Australia is returning for a second season, and the cast list reads like a who’s who of Australian television.
The special celebrity edition is created in partnership with ReachOut Australia to raise awareness surrounding mental health.
The one-off episode will see some of the country’s highest-profile celebs settle down on a couch and provide a running commentary of Australian TV shows.
“The first instalment of Celebrity Gogglebox Australia was a great success, and we are excited to bring another stellar line-up of celebrities to the couch on October 25 which we will be announcing soon!” Foxtel Lifestyle’s Group General Manager Wendy Moore said.
“Partnering with ReachOut enables us to raise awareness and connect more young people in Australia with their invaluable service.”
Gogglebox. Ten.
Who will be on the new Celebrity Gogglebox Australia?
There are some very big players, to say the least. Check out the cast list below:
Newcomers:
Best friends Carrie Bickmore and Fifi Box.
Fifi Box. Instagram.
Comedian Anne Edmonds and partner Lloyd Langford.
Anne Edmonds. Instagram.
The Real Housewives of Sydney stars Krissy Marsh and Nicole O’Neil.
Real Housewives of Sydney. Foxtel.
The Great Australian Bake Off judge Darren Purchese and host Natalie Tran.
The Great Australian Bake Off. Foxtel.
Returnees:
Australian wildlife warriors, The Irwin’s – Terri, Bindi & Robert.
Gogglebox Australia. Foxtel.
Comedian Dave Hughes and wife Holly Ife.
Gogglebox Australia. Foxtel.
Julia Morris and Nazeem Hussain will be joined by Urzila Carlson.
Gogglebox Australia. Foxtel.
Australian of the Year and Paralympian Gold Medallist Dylan Alcott and MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen.
Andy Allen. Instagram.
Who was on the first Celebrity Gogglebox Australia?
The cast of the first episode of Celebrity Gogglebox Australia included Hamish Blake and Zoë Foster Blake, Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin, Dave Hughes and Holly Ife, Julia Morris and Nazeem Hussain, Matt Preston and Lachy Hulme and Alex Perry, Joh Bailey and Cheyenne Tozzi.
The episode also starred Celia Pacquola and Luke McGregor, Dylan Alcott and Andy Allen and TimCampbell and Anthony Callea.
Gogglebox. Ten.
How can I watch Celebrity Gogglebox Australia?
The episode will air on FOXTEL first on Wednesday 25 October at 7.30pm. It will also play on Channel 10 on the following day, Thursday the 26 October at 8.30pm.
Why are Gogglebox Australia and ReachOut teaming up?
Gogglebox Australia and ReachOut have partnered together for the special episode in a movie to help remove the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
“We all know that Celebrity Gogglebox Australia is a lot of fun and the team from ReachOut are thrilled that this year it will be good for your mental health too,” ReachOut’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising Tracey Campbell said.
“Right now, 40% of young people in Australia are experiencing mental health difficulties and more than a million are not seeking professional support.”
Celebrity Gogglebox Australia airs on Wednesday, 25 October At 7.30pm on FOXTEL and Thursday, 26 October At 8.30pm on 10 And 10 Play.
Love Island Australia 2023 officially has a release date, and it will be on *checks notes* suuuper early this year.
The first episode is dropping at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 30 and will air from Monday to Thursday in the same time slot.
“This year be prepared to expect the unexpected – it’s not as predictable as previous years,” host Sophie Monk said of the new season. “I can usually pick who will find love and stay together, but the Islanders have surprised me every day.”
Amongst them is a face that will likely be familiar to reality TV fans. Kirra Schofield, the little sister of Bronte Schofield, who was one of the most controversial brides on MAFS 2023, will be on the reality show.
Kirra filmed multiple scenes on MAFS, and was largely celebrated on social media for her vicious takedown of Bronte’s TV husband Harrison Boon at their televised family dinner.
Is there a trailer?
There is – and others a massive twist teased for the upcoming season. See for yourself!
Love Island Australia 2023 is entering its ‘villain era’, and it’s been teased that in a press release that the “girls will take charge”. The season promises “risky challenges, date nights, and plenty more drama and romance to keep eyes glued to the screen and hearts racing”.
Is there an aftershow?
Yes! Josh Moss and Flex Mami will be back for season two of I’ve Got A Text With Josh and Flex. The TV personalities break down everything that happens inside the villa and interview the Islanders themselves for juicy updates.
Love Island Australia premieres on October 30 at 6pm AEDT on 9Now.
It’s episode 41 of The Block and time for the redo rooms and bathroom reveals. But before we see what magic our Blockheads have worked, here’s what happened during the episode.
With just 36 hours to go for the upstairs bathroom and redo room to be finished, some of the contestants were progressing better than others.
The Block. Nine.
Kristy and Brett faced a disaster with their bathroom renovation. Instead of tiling over the arch, Brett made the mistake of removing the back wall which compromised the waterproofing. Foreman Dan said the rough cost of the mistake is a whopping $30,000. Feeling defeated, Kristy and Brett give up and present a completely unfinished room to the judges.
During the episode, The Blockheads headed to a local soccer oval for a challenge sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank, hoping to win some much-needed cash.
All of the contestants managed to get goals in, but Brett’s ball hit Keith smack in the face after it rebounded off Dan.
The Block Nine.
Leslie and Kyle and Gian and Steph won $1,000, while Brett and Kristy, Eliza and Liberty and Leah and Ash won $2,000 to put towards their renovations.
When Scotty Cam arrived on Saturday morning to declare “tools down.” Most of the Blockheads have finished rooms, except for Kristy and Brett.
Room Reveals
Kyle and Leslie – $$23,898
Neale’s return as a judge comes as a relief for the contestants. The judges were impressed by the transformation of Kyle and Leslie’s living room after removing a wall, making it more open.
However, they were not pleased with the design of their bathroom, particularly the placement of the toilets. Once again, Kyle and Leslie faced criticism for their spatial planning, leaving them dissatisfied.
Leah and Ash – $26,118
The judges were instantly impressed with the renovations done to the downstairs work from home area, which has now been transformed into an additional bedroom. Neale praised how well it complements Leah’s bold styling in the living room.
Upstairs, positive feedback was received regarding the bathroom, which is considered one of Leah and Ash’s best accomplishments so far.
Kristy and Brett – $28,603
Darren expressed his disappointment when he discovered that Kristy and Brett had not yet presented their redo room. Their explanation was that they only needed to tile the arch, which would have made it perfect.
However, their upstairs bathroom was left unfinished. Kristy claimed it was beyond their control, but Scott retorted by stating that they had complete control over everything. Neale added that it was “disappointingly unfinished”
Steph and Gian – $28,603
Steph and Gian put in an amazing effort to transform their bathroom into a luxurious and incredible space, impressing the judges. It has now become more than just a quarantine facility.
Though Shaynna expressed concern about the lack of face level storage, their jack and jill bathroom was a favorite among all three judges.
Eliza and Liberty – $28,664
The Victorian sisters completely revamped their studio, turning it into a luxurious home in Hampton East. However, Darren felt that they made a mistake with the layout – the couch should have faced the pool and garden.
Darren and Shaynna were impressed by the kids/teenagers bathroom, but Neale found the styling to be immature and superficial. Despite some criticisms, it was ultimately a commendable effort.
Scoring
Eliza and Liberty took out the win with 27.5 points.
Darren
Shaynna
Neale
Total
Kyle and Leslie
7.5
8
8
23.5
Leah and Ash
8.5
9
9.5
27
Kristy and Brett
6
6
6.6
18.5
Steph and Gian
8.5
8.5
9
26
Eliza and Liberty
9.5
9.5
8.5
27.5
Want more recaps? Check out our The Block 2023 recaps below!
Australians around the nation will be required to vote in The Voice referendum this Saturday.
The vote will determine whether Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders will be given an independent and permanent advisory body.
After voting closes on Saturday evening, the votes will be tallied and Channel Seven is broadcasting a live telecast of the decision.
The TV event will start with a special edition of 7NEWS which continues into a half-hour 7NEWS special as the first count comes in, hosted by Michael Usher. He will be joined by leaders from both sides including Federal Education Minister Jason Clare and Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, with insight and analysis from 7NEWS Political Editor Mark Riley.
Coverage continues throughout the night with a comprehensive bulletin live from 10.00pm AEDT, until the decision is announced on air.
Is it compulsory to vote in The Voice referendum?
Yes. Voting in the Voice referendum is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens aged 18 years and over
How do I vote in The Voice referendum?
You should already be on the electoral roll and polling places will open between 8am and 6pm around the country on Saturday, October 14th.
Once you arrive you’ll visit a desk where you can check in. You’ll then be given a slip to take to the voting booth. The slip reads: “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
At the voting booth, you can write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in the box, and then you can put the slip in the allocated slot.
When is The Voice Referendum on and how can I watch it?
The voice referendum coverage will start on Saturday, October 14.
7NEWS
Sydney and Melbourne – 6.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Brisbane – 6.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Adelaide – 6.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Perth – 6.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
7NEWS: The Voice Referendum
Sydney and Melbourne- 7.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Brisbane – 7.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Adelaide – 7.00pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
7NEWS: The Voice Referendum 2023
Sydney and Melbourne – 10.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
Brisbane – 10.00pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Adelaide – 10.00pm on Channel 7 and 7plus
Perth – 7.00pm live on Channel 7 and 7plus
The Voice Referendum coverage starts from 6pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus on Saturday, October 14.
Ben and Jackie Gillies are one of the only teams on The Amazing Race Australia where both contestants are famous.
However, despite Ben’s background in the public eye, Jackie has revealed that The Amazing Race Australia is one of the only reality TV shows he would consider.
“Reality TV isn’t really Ben’s thing, he only went on Housewives to support me,” Jackie told WHO. “But when this opportunity came up, he said, ‘These are the amazing experiences that people chase and no one gets to do this.’ So we had to do it.”
The Amazing Race. Ten.
Jackie on why she and Ben made a good team on The Amazing Race
Jackie was a fan favourite on The Real Housewives of Melbourne and has a substantial amount of experience when it comes to reality TV.
“I thought I was going to go in there and kill it but it was really Ben with his calm and level head, who really likes to take his time and do things properly, who was the most valuable player,” she explained.
But, RHOM is a whole different ball game to The Amazing Race, which Jackie said came as a bit of a surprise.
“As women, it can be hard to take time like this, but I really think that making time for yourself and your partner makes you a better mother, a better lover and a better everything. It’s a lesson we’ll take home with us too, that we need to take more time out to nurture our relationship.”
The Amazing Race. Ten.
The contestants didn’t stay in luxury hotels
Viewers aren’t privy to where the contestants stay when they’re not racing. However, Jackie dished the dirt on what their digs are like.
“We were definitely slumming it,” she revealed. “I grew up very humbly so was OK, but at the end of the day it would have been nice to relax with a wine and a little luxury because who doesn’t love that? But no, that wasn’t the case.”
The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode 40 of The Block 2023 and *surprise surprise* tensions escalate between Ash in House Number two and Kristy in House Number three.
The feud causes Leslie to call for a meeting to address Brett’s plan about flipping House No.3’s front and backyards for the final judging, with a special focus on showcasing his pool.
In the dramatic meeting, it becomes evident that this proposition won’t receive approval from the body corporate, which triggers a heated exchange between Kristy and Ash that involves a whole bunch of tears.
The Block. Nine.
Ash’s concern stems from Kristy’s “blatant disregard” for him and Leah, and he stresses that he wants to be on good terms with her and Brett leading up to the final two weeks of The Block. The argument intensifies with insults flying back and forth, leaving the other Blockheads to witness the uncomfortable situation.
Leah gets the tradies involved
During the disagreement, Leah discovers that Kristy and Brett have involved their tilers in their waterproofing project, which Leah is not about. She gives the tilers an ultimatum: continue working with Kristy and Brett, and their professional relationship with Leah is over.
Eventually, the other Blockheads leave the kitchen, which allows Kristy and Ash to somewhat resolve their differences. However, Leah remains disgusted by Kristy’s disrespectful behaviour towards her husband. Unsurprisingly, she’s not impressed when Ash tells her about the reconciliation.
The Block. Nine.
Meanwhile, renovations continue as the Blockheads work on their bathrooms and refurbish their rooms. They receive a challenge from Arnott’s Biscuits called “It’s A Blockout.”
The Blockheads see their families
Much to their delight, the contestants are informed that they are headed off to a winery. However, many of the women’s happiness turns to desolation when they’re told to bring their bathers along
At the venue, the host of Aussie Ninja Warrior, Leila McKinnon, informs them about an obstacle challenge on the lake with a prize of $10,000.
Scotty Cam said that the challenge needs a live audience, and brings in the Blockheads families. Kyle and Leslie and Leah and Ash are over the moon to see their kids, as are Gian and Steph and Kristy and Ash for their dogs.
The Block. Nine.
Steph and Gian, of course, win the challenge and are awarded another $10,000.
In the final scenes of episode 40, Gian and Steph generously gifted Liberty and Eliza half of the prize money they won at the obstacle course to use towards their outdoor areas.
Want more recaps? Check out our The Block 2023 recaps below!
It’s episode four of The Amazing RaceAustralia 2023 and the contestants are finally out of India and on the island paradise of Langkawi, Malaysia.
The remaining racers are tasked with driving themselves to the first challenge, fortunately, Corr and Jana Pittmanhave their bags… for now.
The Amazing Race. Ten.
Challenge and detours
During the Detour, teams had to choose between Eagle Eye or Mai Tai. Those who chose Eagle Eye went on a tandem parasail adventure above the archipelago to find an eagle artwork on a floating pontoon and later locate the matching eagle trinket on the beach.
For those who chose Mai Tai, it wasn’t as simple as just having a drink. This luxurious island paradise, with its five-star resorts and luxury boats, required our celebrities to work as waiters. They had to deliver cocktails on a stand-up paddle board.
The Amazing Race. Ten.
Jackie and Ben Gillies failed to pick the correct eagle trinket on their first attempt and had to try again. On the other hand, Darren McMullen and Tristan Dougan got it right on their first try, putting them in the lead.
Even though Bec Judd and Kate Twigley are skilled at making and drinking cocktails, serving them while paddle boarding was a new challenge. But they managed to reach the end without spilling a drop.
Since George and Pam Mladenov arrived last at the previous Pit Stop but were not eliminated, they had to face a penalty challenge. It required them to fill two large hessian sacks with trash before they could continue to the Detour. After completing the task, they struggled with George’s balance while navigating the paddle board but eventually made it, remaining in last position.
Challenge Two
The next task brought the celebrities deep into the jungle, where they encountered thousands of bats and had to retrieve their next clue.
At the Road Block, one team member had to replicate an elaborate fruit hamper, complete with decorative bows and ribbons. It proved to be a challenging task as all the teams struggled to complete it.
The Amazing Race. Ten.
The Pit Stop
After a hectic day of racing, Darren and Tristan were first to arrive at the Pit Stop, before Beau dropped the bombshell that this was a Virtual Pit Stop, and teams had to read the next clue and continue racing… and didn’t they love Beau for it.
The Amazing Race. Ten.
It was one of the tightest races to the finish so far, and sadly a wrong turn for Peter and Frankie Rowsthorn saw George and Pam overtake them, eliminating the Father-Daughter duo from the race.
While it wasn’t rare for a musician to perform during a one-on-one date on The Bachelorette Australia, the talent was usually quite, ahem, underground.
Which is exactly why it’s such a shocker to discover that International pop star Dua Lipa serenaded Georgia Love and her date Clancy Ryan on the dating show back in 2016.
The mind-boggling performance was dug up by the Shameless podcast, and they even shared a clip of Lipa’s scene.
“I cannot believe that Dua Lipa was on the Georgia Love season of The Bachelorette which doesn’t even feel like that long ago,” Annabelle said.
Was Dua Lipa famous when she performed on The Bachelorette Australia?
Lipa was certainly not a household name back in 2016. At the time the scene was filmed, she was opening Troye Sivian’s Australian tour.
Although Lipa was signed to Warner Music Group in 2015, she didn’t release her self-titled debut album until June 2017. The album featured some of her biggest hits, including Be the One, IDGAF and New Rules.
The Bachelorette. Ten.
Is The Bachelorette Australia still on?
The Bachelorette Australia ran for seven seasons but was retired in 2021 after Brooke Blurton’s season.
The Bachelor Australia is still being produced, however, in recent years it’s had a bit of a switch up. Last year, the show was renamed The Bachelors and three leads were cast.
While the ratings weren’t exactly phenomenal, Channel 10 has embraced the new format and has cast three more Bachelors for the upcoming season.
An ungrateful Australian couple who won the $4.2 million The Block house that Adrian Portelli purchased at auction have sent him a large bill for missing extras.
Adrian Portelli, otherwise known as Lambo Guy, famously started a bidding war on Oz and Omar’s house which sold for a whopping $5.586 million on The Block 2022. He later purchased Sharon and Ankur’s after auction for $4.2 million.
Portelli used the latter house as the prize for a competition he was running for his company, and Victorian couple Kevin and Andrea Griffin won.
Sharon and Ankur’s The Block House. Domain.
However, not content with the multi-million dollar mansion, the Griffins have complained that there are missing extras from the “fully-furnished house” and sent Portelli a $100k bill for them.
The best bit for those of us who love reality TV mess? Portelli shared a video of the Griffins complaining about the missing decor and furniture and posted it to IG for our perusal.
You can watch the saga play out on Instagram reels below:
The videos show the Griffins complaining about items that had been removed from the house, which could be put down to them being avid fans of The Block and simply noticing the difference.
However, the plot thicks, because Herald Sun published a CCTV video of Portelli removing items from the house, which led the Griffins to comment and send him a bill for $102,000.
“We were just like, what the hell?” Ms Griffin said after seeing the footage. “Why has he done this?”
Kevin and Andrea Griffin. LCMT+/Jason Edwards.
Adrian Portelli defended his choice to remove the items
Portelli explained that the terms and conditions of the competition stipulated that the winner would receive a fully furnished house, which they did.
“It came fully furnished with hundreds of thousands of dollars of items, however, apparently there’s hundreds of items missing,” he said on Instagram.
“The Block contestants do receive many items from sponsors that aren’t included,” he continued. “So in the shed, there were a lot of items like a treadmill, the wine the contestants won, there were toolboxes etc.
“But yes, we did take a few items. What I do with these items is completely up to me – whether I choose to use them to stage future giveaway houses, or I simply use them personally.”
What was removed from The Block house?
Portelli shared the bill he was sent by the Griffins for the missing items. Amongst them were books, a fruit bowl and tea towels.
Adrian Portelli. Facebook.
The Block continues on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The Amazing Race Australia host Beau Ryan might have casually just dropped a comment about who will be hosting I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out OfHere during episode three, and it looked suspiciously like a HUGE easter egg.
When Darren McMullen and his nephew Tristan Dougan approached the Check Point, Ryan made small talk with the person in the traditional Indian Kathakali costume standing beside him at the finish line.
“Who do you think they’ll get to host I’m a Celebrity next year? Who do you reckon they’ll partner with Julia?” Beau asked his sidekick before the camera panned back to McMullen’s arrival.
The Amazing Race. Ten.
Is that why Darren McMullen was so upset about his nose piercing?
In the episode, McMullen and his nephew were winning the race after the detour and were given the option to do a Fast Forward. (A Fast Forward lets the contestants do a separate challenge from the rest of the group, and if they complete it they can skip both main challenges.)
“That’s marking my money maker,” he told his nephew.
“This is so dumb,” McMullen continued complaining. “That’s my career over. That’s the sound of me losing multiple jobs because of this stupid idea. What have I done?”
Could McMullen be referring to his hosting job on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here? We certainly think so!
Beau Ryan confirms he’s out of the running for the gig
Another contender for the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here hosting job could be Beau Ryan, given that he’s presented a lot of Network 10 shows, and is the face of the upcoming Gladiators series.
“I can’t be assed. I gotta go home, man. I’m waiting for [a producer] to tell me I’m doing it, so I’m trying not to see her. If they say: “See you in Africa”, my life is over!”
“We’ll see what happens,” he added cryptically.
Beau Ryan. Instagram.
Why are the hosts of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here changing?
After co-hosting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here Australia alongside Julia Morris since its inception in 2015, Dr Chris Brown announced that he was leaving Network 10 in February 2023.
He has signed a two-year deal with Network 7 to work on two different projects.
Soooo, the co-host position with Julia Morris is up for grabs… and it looks as though McMullen might have nabbed it.
Catch the full chat with Beau Ryan with The Entertainment Hotline Podcast below:
The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. on 10 and 10Play.
It’s episode three of The Amazing RaceAustralia 2023 and the entire episode can be described in a single word: chaos.
The stunning state of Kerala in India was the destination for the nine remaining teams in the third leg. At the start, Harry Jowsey and Teddy Briggs trailed behind Emma ‘Wiggle’ Watkins and her sister Hayley, discussing their love for the classic tune Hot Potato, while Angie Simpson charmed taxi drivers with kisses in exchange for discounted rides.
Challenge and detours
Upon reaching the Detour, our celebrity contestants were faced with a choice: painting a tiger on a local’s belly or participating in a traditional kids’ game at the sports ground.
The Amazing Race. Seven.
Angie and Alli Simpson conquered the painting challenge with enthusiasm while Darren McMullen and Tristan Dougan and Harry and Teddy chose the game.
The two male teams finished first and both decided to attempt the Fast Forward option. However, only one team could complete it, leaving the other to tackle the Road Block with the remaining racers.
Tristan and Darren made it to the Road Block first and had to pierce their noses and wear traditional jewellery. Tristan took the news like a champ. While Darren was initially reluctant to do the piercing, he finally caved “for the kids” of the charity he’s supporting.
The Amazing Race. Seven.
Being the first team to complete the Fast Forward, the freshly pierced duo advanced directly to the Pitstop, leaving Harry and Teddy scrambling to face the Road Block.
At the Road Block, one team member had to learn how to drive a Tuk Tuk at the local driving school. Jana Pittman swiftly gave her 16-year-old son some tips on the difference between manual and automatic vehicles, but it took a few failed attempts and words of encouragement from his mum before he succeeded.
Unfortunately, disaster struck when Cor Pittman realized he left his bag behind during their car journey to the next challenge, forcing the team to turn back. This setback would go down as one of the biggest in Race history.
Meanwhile, George Mladenov discovered the forgotten bag back at the Tuk Tuk challenge and had a choice: bring it to Cor or leave it. Being the strategic player he is, George decided to leave the bag, realizing it could potentially give him and Pam Mladenov a chance to escape last place.
The Amazing Race. Seven.
Challenge Two and the Pit Stop
Finally, the teams had to devour their way through a bowl of 30 bananas until they found a blue one. Psychic-medium Jackie Gillies managed to manifest a blue banana with her powers, acing the challenge on her first try. However, George and Pam weren’t so lucky and went through a whopping 24 bananas before they stumbled across the blue one.
By this point, Darren and Tristan had reached the Pit Stop and took out first place.
The Amazing Race. Seven.
Back at the competition grounds, after collecting their lost bag, Jana and Cor arrived and successfully completed the banana challenge in just seven attempts. However, in their excitement to board the boat, they forgot their bags… AGAIN!
The final showdown was between Jana and Cor and George and Pam in a boat race. Unfortunately, George and Pam finished last, but to their surprise, it was a non-elimination leg. King George is saved once again.
It’s episode three of SAS Australia 2023 and during the first task of the day, the 10 remaining recruits confronted their fear of heights to rappel 50 metres from an abandoned tower before infiltrating a window to complete a rescue.
Anthony Mundine’s lacklustre display left the DS unimpressed. They then called him in for a grillin’, and in that hot seat, Mundine unleashed his disappointment over not making the cut for the Kangaroos squad and the system that tried to silence his outspoken views.
“I was an NRL player and NRL is a brutal sport. I debuted in 1993 when I was 18 years old. I was only a skinny kid. And I was carvin’ up, but I felt like I wasn’t getting the accolades. If I was a white fella …”
Anthony Mundine. Seven
When asked by DS Ant Middleton if he believed his non-selection came down to race, he said:
“One hundred per cent! 1999 was one of my best years. At the end of that year, they were taking a tour to England. Don’t know if it was the World Cup. But they were taking 42 men to go on this tour. I was the best player in the league. No doubt.
“The Australian coach said I didn’t get picked because of my ‘off-field characteristics’. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, never took drugs in my life. But I’m very outspoken. They just wanted to show me they were in power. You do what we say and then you’ll see some fruits.
“They didn’t pick me and that crushed me. Devastated me. Ripped my heart out, basically. I was playing from a young age. I should have been picked. You ask any of my peers who played in 1999. Should I get picked? One hundred per cent of them would say yes.’’
The second task and Stephanie Rice’s interrogation
In the second task of the day, the recruits went through live grenade training, infiltrating a building under heavy fire.
Stephanie’s not-so-graceful dive into the sand left her shoulder dislocated. Luckily, a quick visit to the on-course medic resulted in a shoulder pop and a trip to the hospital for some X-rays.
Stephanie Rice. Seven
After receiving a clean bill of health and vowing to get back on track, Stephanie revealed the disappointment of the 2012 London Olympics, admitting her current sense of loneliness and lack of purpose in life.
“When I think about failure. I think about the London Olympics. Everything went wrong, I got injured. I tore the tendon in my shoulder eight months before the London Olympics. I didn’t have time to repair it. I just trained on it torn for eight months. I was disappointed things didn’t align the way I knew they could have,” she said.
“I really struggled. I felt really lost after I finished swimming. I didn’t feel like I had any purpose or any direction. And I didn’t feel like anybody understood.”
It’s episode 39 of The Block 2023 and I’m tired. Also, the Blockheads probably are at this point too…
Besides renovating, they’re tired of each other which has been made a lot worse given that Woman’s Day, New Idea, Who Weekly and TV Week came to visit and published interviews they had with the contestants…
But before we dive into that drama, Steph and Gian have now made $90k in just two weeks, meaning they can now make all of their bathrooms “consistent”, which Steph is keen to see what the judges think.
Okay, back to the mags.
It turns out, Leah and Ash “have been chatting some crap” and Brett and Kristy are NOT happy. Lel.
EXHIBIT A
Nine.
EXHIBIT B
Nine.
Meanwhile…
EXHIBIT C
Nine.
Possibly the best part of this whole thing was seeing all the builders joining in on the goss. But the worst?! Now Leah and Kristy hate each other even more. Cool cool.
Since the interviews were held a full two weeks prior, Leah is now at the point where she just wants everything to be OK, and tries to make amends. However, Kristy hates her more than ever now, so there’s that.
The 3D Fence and Brett’s mischievous plan
In other — and possibly better — news, Leah and Ash are in talks with Block architect Julian Brenchley to create a special 3D-printed fence that will have all of Charming St talking.
Meanwhile, Brett has also decided on a master plan.
He wants to swap his backyard and front yard in the judging so that the pool — which is clearly a backyard feature in any home — becomes part of front yard week… lol.
Firstly, WTAFand secondly… is this fair? Probably not.
Brett calls a body corporate and his cheeky as plan appears to get it through, despite Leah being wary. He then tries to convince the other Blockheads there’s nothing more to what he’s proposing when in actual fact, he just wants a free Ford Mustang.
Brett. Nine
Brett and Kristy in the middle of drama again?! How surprising!
Want more recaps? Check out our The Block 2023 recaps below!
When it comes to social media, Harry Jowsey and Teddy Briggs are one of the most high-profile teams on The Amazing Race Australia 2023.
On the show, Harry is touted as the mega-star, while Teddy is relegated to being his ‘friend’ in the show titles. However, Teddy was actually part of a very popular Australian reality TV show.
Who is Harry Jowsey?
Harry Jowsey appeared in season one of Netflix’s Too Hot To Handle back in 2020 and has racked up a hefty amount of followers ever since. He currently has 4.2 million followers on Instagram and 4.7 million on TikTok.
He joined OnlyFans in February 2021 and has spoken publicly about the huge amount of money he’s made on the adult subscription platform.
In an interview with KIIS 106.5’s Summer Breakfast last December, the reality TV star said he earns “a couple of hundred thousand a month” on OF.
“I know I was the highest-earning male on there for a while,” he added.
He’s currently competing on the US iteration of Dancing With The Stars, and is up against a bevy of big names including Vanderpump Rules legend Ariana Madix and American Pie star Alyson Hannigan.
The jury is still out on whether Harry is single at the moment. The 26-year-old has recently sparked rumours that he’s dating his 18-year-old DWTS partner Rylee Arnold.
The two were spotted holding hands leaving Tate McRae’s concert in Los Angeles, and have been very affectionate to each other in TikTok videos.
Harry is no stranger to a high-profile romance, he has previously dated his Too Hot To Handle co-stars Francesca Farago and Georgia Hassarati.
Who is Teddy Briggs?
Teddy Briggs has mostly been presented as Harry’s ‘best friend’, however, the Adelaide model actually has a background in reality TV too. He starred in season one of Love Island Australia in 2018 and entered the villa as a bombshell.
Teddy entered the villa on day 21 and was paired up with Edyn Mackney, Francoise Draschler and Millie Fuller during his time on the show. Teddy and Edyn got back together on day 36 but were dumped from the villa the next day.
Is Teddy Briggs single?
He is! Teddy regularly posts thirst traps on social media, and no significant other is anywhere to be seen. Slide into those DMs at your own risk!
The Amazing Race Australia airs on Wednesday and Thursday nights on Channel 10 & 10Play at 7.30pm.
“We found that some [of last year’s] cast was maybe a little bit introverted,” McWilliams said, “And so many other couples had to do more of the heavy lifting, whereas this year, we needed people that were going to be straight up from the very beginning. They were going to embrace it and going to wear their heart on their sleeve, be themselves and be authentic.”
Love Triangle. Stan.
As well as scouting for outspoken individuals, Walsh said that they had other goals when casting the season.
“Our learnings were showing more of the diversity of people out there that are doing modern-day dating. There’s no point putting six lonely hearts that have tried everything and they get rejected because that’s not true. That’s not indicative of what’s going on out there.”
What is the twist on Love Triangle season two?
The premise of Love Triangle is that a number of singles must chat with two potential matches over text, before meeting up with their favourite. Those two will then move in together for six weeks to see if they can make their connection work.
Love Triangle. Stan.
However, last year’s twist saw the rejected texter move in with the happy couple.
“In the first series, the twist was that the second the rejected person comes in and forms a triangle,” McWilliams said. “Obviously, that’s no longer a surprise to them coming into this series, so we’ve brought in a new twist, something that would challenge them even further.
Many fans are predicting that the unchosen match won’t be moving in anymore, however, McWilliams hints otherwise.
“It’s not a twist. It’s like a twist. It’s something that we felt organically that fits really well. It’s an extension of what we’ve already done and it really had very quite controversial results.”
“There’s a twist that was planned and then there’s a bombshell within the twist that we hadn’t anticipated,” he said before McWilliams joked: “You basically have to watch with a calculator!”
Content warning: This article about Craig McLachlan references suicide and may be triggering to some readers.
Gold Logie winner Craig McLachlan has opened up about his indecent assault trial which dominated headlines over the past few years.
The actor is currently competing in SAS Australia, and during an interrogation in episode two, he reflected on the trial and discussed the turmoil he experienced as a result.
SAS Australia. Seven.
“Talk about panic. On that morning, January 8 2018, I woke up to phones ringing,” he said in an emotional piece-to-camera.
“The news was everywhere: ‘He’s a monster, he’s a bully, he’s a calculated predator.’ It’s too easy to ruin your life like that.”
In 2018, McLachlan was accused of seven counts of indecent assault and six of common law assault made against him by four women who starred alongside him in the stage production of Rocky Horror Show in 2014. He pleaded not guilty and was cleared of all the charges in 2020.
Craig McLachlan on the emotional toll the charges took
Despite being acquitted of the charges, McLachlan says his tattered public image has affected his mental health.
“At the time these allegations were broadcast, where I ultimately found myself in the darkest place imaginable,” he said during a piece-to-camera on SAS Australia
“I was sadly contemplating the unimaginable. And I made a decision to do something … and I’ll just say that, in my haste, a miscalculation basically meant that I … ah … managed to get up out of bed that next day and keep soldiering on.”
SAS Australia. Seven.
Craig McLachlan stressed that he was innocent
McLachlan shared his frustration about his public media trial.
“I was found not guilty of any wrongful behaviour, it’s because I was f***ing innocent,” he said. “I have been profoundly hurt so there’s always going to be some residual anger.”
“I suffer extreme social anxiety,” he said. “I’m more anxious about being in a new group of people than I am about climbing up the side of a mountain. I know that sounds bizarre, but for me, I’m afraid it’s true.”
If you or someone you know is in distress and needs more information, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
Popular comedian and TV personality Cal Wilson has died, she was aged 53.
Her passing was confirmed by her management to News.com.au, who issued a statement and said she was surrounded by family and friends when she died at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
“We are devastated to share the news that Cal Wilson, the much-loved stand-up comedian, writer and actor died today, surrounded by family and friends after a short illness at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney,” the statement read.
“Cal’s generosity, talent and friendship have been constants in the Australian comedy scene for the last twenty years. Cal was loved by her family, friends, fans and peers and a huge hole has been torn in the heart of our community.
“Originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, Cal moved to Melbourne in 2003 to star in the sketch show, Skithouse. She went on to become one of Australia’s best-known comedians with appearances on Spicks and Specks, Good News Week, Would I Lie To You and in her own Netflix stand-up special.”
A statement was also issued by Wendy Moore, who is the Group General Manager of Lifestyle at Foxtel Group.
“We are all completely devastated to lose such an amazing, vibrant person,” she said. “Cal joined our Bake Off cast last year and instantly brought her unique sparkle to the show.
“Her professionalism, work ethic and genuine heart-warming humour instantly made her a favourite amongst cast and crew, as well as the Australian audience. We will all miss her so much, and our hearts go out to her family and friends.”
Wilson was born in New Zealand and starred on many Australian TV shows. She was a contestant on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Outta Here in 2018 and has appeared on Have You Been Paying Attention?, Dancing with the Stars and The Great Australian Bake Off, among others.
Wilson is survived by her son, Digby and her husband, Chris.
It’s episode 7 of Shark Tank Australia 2023 and the Sharks were blown away by a pitch of a kid’s vehicle that also satisfies the parent’s needs. However, one pitch was fed to the Sharks but received no bites.
Here’s what happened during the episode.
Pitch #1 – 35MM CO
The Product
23-year-old Madi Stefanis pitched a nostalgic film camera called 35MM CO, aimed at late teens and 20-somethings in a variety of colours.
The Investment Wish
$300,000 for 10% equity.
Offer Accepted
Sharks RobertHerjavec and Jane Lu settled for a shared $300,000 for 17.5% equity.
Pitch #2 – Nevabuds
The Product
Nevada Smith presented Nevabuds, earbuds with a magnetic clip that clips together, helping users to never lose them.
The Investment Wish
$28,000 for 40% equity.
Offer Accepted
AI guru Catriona Wallace invested $28,000 for a 49% stake in the business.
Pitch #3 – Burleigh Wagon
The ProductRegan and Nathan pitched the most “souped up and pimped out” beach wagon called The Burleigh Wagon. It is a beach vehicle for days out with kids and includes an esky, surfboard rack and USB speaker.
The Investment Wish
$450,000 investment for 10% equity of the business
Offer Accepted
Davie Fogarty secured 25% equity for $450,000, plus a $10 royalty until the money is paid back.
It’s episode two of SAS Australia 2023 and the 13 remaining recruits face a dangerous run-and-jump extraction drill, jumping into coastal waters before scaling 10 metres to a hovering Black Hawk helicopter – which is an absolute no from me.
During the drill, disaster strikes for retired NRL star Boyd Cordner who suffered an excruciating pectoral tear before revealing the anguish of early retirement to thwart the onset of CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy).
“I had days there where I’d break down crying. Just being in the media nearly every day at that time and everyone knowing your business, it was, yeah, it was all a bit too much for me.”
“At the end of the day, it was my decision. I didn’t know what the next head knock would bring. It’s quite a scary thought when you think about the long-term effects that concussion or TBIs [traumatic brain injuries] could have.”
Boyd was then forced to medically withdraw because unlike Jason during episode one (lol), Boyd had actual reasons to leave. In fact, Dr Dan revealed that his injury would soon require surgery and further tasks could cause permanent damage.
Boyd Cordner and Dr Dan. Seven
Lindy Klim and Cassie Sainsbury VW
As the course begins to take its toll on everyone, “Balinese Princess” LindyKlim, in a burst of honesty, chooses to VW (voluntarily withdraw). She revealed that the selection process demanded more physical strength than she could muster.
“I did think I would really struggle being completely out of my comfort zone. I hate being dirty, and I hate sand and I hate camping. I feel quite chuffed that I managed to get through two days, so yeah I feel good.”
Then, during a nail-biting experiment to conquer panic within a treacherous maze of underwater pipelines, Cassie Sainsbury, the notorious drug smuggler, found herself in the hot seat and ended up being the third candidate to throw in the towel at VW.
Cassie Sainsbury and Ant Middleton. Seven
“It is probably one of the first times in a long time that I feel proud of myself in the sense of facing everything I didn’t ever want to see again,” she said. “When I leave the SAS course ‘Cocaine Cassie’ dies there. That’s it. She doesn’t follow me around anymore.”
Craig Challen’s interrogation
With his unparalleled expertise in navigating tight, submerged tunnels, Craig Challen, the heroic Thai cave rescuer, fearlessly took on the challenge of entering the pipeline. However, even with his impressive qualifications, he made the fateful mistake of going face down instead of face up in search of the crucial air pocket.
Later, during his interrogation, he recounted the story behind the historic saving of 13 lives and how it made him feel.
“To get all of them out at the end, yeah, it’s just like the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders. To have a one hundred per cent success rate and all of them out alive, even as I sit here today, I still can’t really believe that it worked out that well.”
