‘Full on stressed’: Scott Cam breaks down over explosive auction day chaos on The Block‘Full on stressed’: Scott Cam breaks down over explosive auction day chaos on The Block
The 63-year-old television veteran warns of toxic “gang-ups” and unresolved grudges following the broadcast of backstabbing episodes, while opening up on knee surgeries and his refusal to retire
For over two decades, Scott Cam has been the unshakeable cornerstone of Channel Nine’s high-stakes renovation powerhouse, The Block.
Yet, as the epic Mount Eliza season races toward its explosive finale, the 63-year-old Gold Logie winner admits that auction day remains an absolute nail-biter—and this year, the tension stretches far beyond the eye-watering $3.45 million reserve prices.
Behind the scenes, the atmosphere between the five competing teams has dissolved into a minefield of old grudges, bitter rivalries, and fresh outrage.
Speaking candidly in an exclusive interview with TV WEEK, Cam revealed that the downtime between filming completion and auction night has allowed contestants to watch the series back on television—exposing months of brutal backstabbing, hidden insults, and strategic alliances.
The host warned that the grand reunion could spark explosive, televised confrontations as hurt feelings spill over into the auction room.
“They’ve been at home watching the show back and finding out what other people have said about them,” Scott shared openly.
“There are conflicts that have been going on behind closed doors. There can be a group mentality as well.
Sometimes when there’s a bit of a gang up, that can be quite hard to watch.”
RESERVE PRICE DISCONTENT AND AUCTION ORDER DRAMA
Adding fuel to the emotional fire is the eternal point of friction between contestants and network executives: the reserve prices.
With all five luxury coastal properties officially burdened with a steep $3.45 million reserve and a price guide of $3.6 million to $3.9 million, the pressure on the teams to secure a life-changing profit is immense.
While Cam noted the contestants weren’t “going mental” over the figures, he admitted nobody walked away satisfied.
“They are never, ever happy with their reserve price—ever in the history of the show,” Scott laughed dryly.
“But this year they weren’t going mental about it, but they weren’t overly happy.”
However, insiders whisper that subtle maneuvering behind the scenes over the strategic auction order is causing severe friction between rival houses.
While production experts typically advise the team with the most verified, registered buyers to go under the hammer first to set the market pace, getting five competitive couples to agree peacefully is nearly impossible.
“That’s what we advise them to do,” Scott teased of the ongoing debate.
“Whether they take that advice on board and not come to an agreement and then we have to draw it out of a hat, which we’ve done before, is up to them.
We can give them as much advice as we can, and we could lead a horse to water, but whether that horse drinks said water is unknown.”
“I HATE THAT WORD”: SCOTTY CLAPS BACK AT CHANTEL AND WYATT’S “STITCH-UP” CLAIMS
The season has certainly seen its fair share of fierce friction, none more volatile than the early media storm surrounding House 2’s Chantel and Wyatt.
The couple made national headlines after production mistakenly aired claims that the pair had burned through double their allocated budget—a mistake Channel Nine quickly corrected and apologized for on air.
Despite the network’s public apology, Chantel and Wyatt remained deeply resentful, distancing themselves from promotional duties and accusing executive producers of orchestrating a deliberate “stitch-up.”
Cam pulled no punches when addressing the couple’s ongoing bitterness, expressing intense frustration over accusations of show manipulation.
“We put our hand up straight away and said, ‘We made a mistake and we’re apologising on national television,’” Scott recalled firmly.
“That should have been the end of that straight away.
Wyatt thought it was a stitch-up, which is a word that I hate on our show, because we don’t stitch anyone up.”
Cam suggested that the couple’s defensive attitude and total refusal to accept expert design feedback ultimately hampered their real estate potential.
“They’ve had a hard time with their design and their ideas,” Scott observed.
“And their listening! They don’t listen to any advice. In hindsight they needed to take the feedback on board.
They might be building a house that they like, but it’s not for them, it’s for the buyers.”
MYSTERY BUYERS, CELEBRITY FRIENDS, AND SPOUSAL ABSENCES
With millions at stake, speculation is mounting over who will show up in Mount Eliza to throw around serious capital.
While rumors swirl about high-net-worth investors and media personalities eyeing the sea-view estates, Cam admits he is just as eager as the audience to see who registers on the day.
Recalling comedian Dave Hughes’ famous purchase of a previous Block property, Scott joked that convincing famous friends to part with $3 million-plus is no easy feat.
“I want to know myself who is coming!” Scott laughed.
“It’s pretty hard to get your mates to hand over $3 million plus, but if someone wants to buy one that’s in our industry, like Dave Hughes, we welcome that—he’s bought a Block house, and he’s very happy with it.”
Yet, amidst the electric atmosphere of the auction floor, one key person will be missing: Scott’s wife of 35 years, Ann.
Cam revealed that his wife intentionally stays away from the live filming due to his intense, high-wire auction nerves.
“She doesn’t come to auction day because I’m a bit full on and stressed,” Scott confessed honestly.
“She also likes to watch it on the telly and see what happens that way because she’s invested.”
SURGERY RECOVERIES AND FUTURE PLANS: NO RETIREMENT IN SIGHT
Beyond managing fiery contestant personalities, Cam disclosed that he spent the entire three-month shoot enduring excruciating physical pain.
The hard-working host quietly battled severe joint issues, eventually undergoing multiple operations on both knees once cameras stopped rolling.
Now fully rehabilitated with updated knees and renewed vigor, Cam completely rubbished any rumors of imminent retirement, declaring he has zero plans to hand over The Block hosting reigns.
He is already looking forward to the next season, set at the massive, heritage-listed former asylum in Sunbury, Victoria.
“I had a very sore knee throughout the whole series, and that was quite challenging for the three months. I just had a couple of operations on both knees,” Scott shared.
“I get great vibes about the architecture and the building in Sunbury. I love the 20, 30-foot ceilings in some of the rooms. The construction is what I’m really excited about—it’s a big, big, big job.”
Reflecting on his recent grueling stint as a contestant on Shark!, Cam laughed off any suggestion of stepping back into the competitive ring.
“I shouldn’t have signed up for Shark!,” Scott declared dryly.
“It was a very traumatic six weeks of my life. It was real and I don’t know if they’re doing it again, because I don’t know if I’ll find other people to do it.”
With his knees restored, his hosting role secure, and the grand finale hours away, S