Rick and Tayla’s Living, Dining and Alfresco Week quickly descended into chaos on last week’s The Block as Tayla repeatedly changed her mind about their statement fireplace.
Tayla eventually became fixated on a dramatic curved fireplace she’d found inspiration for online. Foreman Dan loved the look and even suggested it could help them win the week, but there was one major problem: neither Tayla nor Rick knew how to build it. Oopsie.
Host Scott Cam urged her to choose something slightly more achievable, prompting Tayla to complain that Scotty and her dad were ‘a little bit behind the times’ and didn’t understand her ambitious vision.
She finally pivoted again, but without first getting the new plan approved. Amid all the confusion, Rick attempted to sketch out one of Tayla’s fireplace ideas — and his drawing has raised eyebrows online.
On several posts in one of The Block’s Facebook groups, eagle-eyed fans pointed out the raunchy sketch that Rick had scribbled on his fireplace plan.
“Tell me I am not the only one who saw it,” read one post. “No. I saw that straight away,” answered one fan. “I think we all saw it!!” replied another.
Umm, here it is! Stunning!
Yes. That is a penis. “Not sure if it’s the kind of fireplace Tayla was imagining to have erected in House 5!!!” joked one person online.
“Was he serious?” asked a second comment, as another added “I’m surprised they didn’t make a joke about it on TV.” The bizarre NSFW TV moment was over before it began.
Rick reacts to his drawing airing on The Block
In an exclusive interview with Chattr, Rick admitted he didn’t think his (pardon the pun) little doodle would make the final episode. “I don’t believe that actually got shown on air,” he said.
“It was just for a laugh to Steve, the producer… the camera guys, and I thought I’ll just draw a picture of a dick around this fireplace. I didn’t realise that it’d go to air.”
Rick said that he thinks the moment airing in a later timeslot could explain the NSFW inclusion. “I quickly looked up at the clock, it just ticked over 8pm, so I’m not sure if that’s a time slot that you can allow nudity, well, not nudity… but yeah, here we go — we got a cock and balls around a fireplace.”
Rick believed this was a moment that would have remained behind closed doors. “There was no thoughts in the world of that going through [to air]. We were all in tears when I drew it, and I don’t think a lot of people knew what it was until [laughs],” he shared, joking that his penis-shaped fireplace could have potential. “It’s a new design. It’s coming out, so get ready for that!”
Of course, this isn’t the first time that this team has found themselves embroiled in controversy on The Block 2026.
Tayla cops backlash from The Block fans
Tayla’s work ethic has become one of the biggest talking points of The Block 2026, with viewers repeatedly questioning whether she is pulling her weight compared to her dad Rick.
Fans have criticised scenes showing Tayla dancing around, heading to the beach, getting her nails done and generally appearing far less stressed than her 62-year-old father on the worksite.
One viewer said they felt “so sorry for Rick”, while another branded Tayla a “spoilt brat”.
But more recently, The Block fans have started to embrace Tayla. “You can’t help but love Tayla,” read one recent Reddit comment.
“I’m turning into more of a Tayla fan each episode. Full of cheer and good for a laugh,” added another.
The Block airs Sunday – Wednesday on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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