Sick of the dating drama of Married At First Sight and need a break from the COVID-19 chaos? You’re in luck – an entertaining alternative is just around the corner.
House Rules’ eighth season is about to kick off and the Channel Seven renovation show has gotten a refresh ahead of its return.
Following long-standing judge Johanna Griggs’ sensational resignation at the end of the 2019 season, Jamie Durie has been promoted from judge to host.
The 49-year-old TV personality, who previously hosted shows like The Block and Backyard Blitz, will be joined by Abbey Gelmi, who has signed on the dotted line as co-host.
Fans of the reality series don’t have long to wait; Channel Seven has announced the new season will kick off Sunday, April 5 at 7pm,
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New look House Rules (from left): Jamie Durie, Abbey Gelmi, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Kyly Clarke and Saul Myers.
(Image: Channel Seven)The show, now titled House Rule: High Stakes, will be a revamped version of the reality TV favourite.
As well as new hosts, the judging line-up will feature several fresh faces.
Gone is judge Wendy Moore but fellow judge Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen will remain. Interior design entrepreneur Kyly Clarke – also known for her marriage to cricketer Michael Clarke – and prolific Aussie home builder Saul Myers will work alongside LLB.
Along with the cast shake up, Seven has previously revealed the “re-imagined” new season will push the teams harder than ever with the toughest challenges in the show’s history.
House Rules: High Stakes will see eight new teams transform a high-rise penthouse on the Gold Coast. With more to gain but even more to lose, teams will be desperate to succeed.
Though they’ll be renovating a home 33 stories high, the teams will still have to entrust the keys of their own homes to their competitors.
WATCH: See the new look House Rules featuring Jamie Durie. Story continues below…
Former host Joh Griggs (pictured) quit the show in July last year after seven seasons.
(Image: Channel Seven)It comes after Joh Griggs made headlines in July last year when she called it a day on the show after seven years, calling her time on the “enormous beast” of a show a real “eye opener”.
“I’ve got some news for you all. After a great deal of consideration, I recently sat down with the Network to ask to be allowed to step down as Host of House Rules,” she wrote on Instagram.
“They have very graciously agreed for me to do that, which I’m incredibly appreciative of. As the show goes into preproduction for the next season, it’s the perfect time to hand over the role to someone who will take the show into S8.”
