Last night, history was made on The Block as Omar and Oz sold their house for $5,666,666.66, earning a profit of $1,586,666.66.
The best mates went home with $1.5 million above their reserve price – the largest sum ever over a reserve across The Block’s 18 seasons.
Along with their winners’ prize money of $100,000, the total winnings ended at: $1,686,666.66.
The victory, however, was bittersweet – not only because of the lacklustre results of their competitors, but due to some of the commentary surrounding their victory.
Omar and Oz went home with $1.5 million above their reserve price.
(Image: Nine).jpg?resize=380%2C285)
Upon witnessing Omar and Oz’s history-making sale, many viewers flocked to social media to accuse the auction of being rigged, claiming the boys’ bidder was planted to hike up the price.
“It’s nothing that we’re not used to,” the winners tell TV WEEK when asked about the unfair and unfounded accusations.
“It’s just sad we have to justify such an amazing win. But at the end of the day, it was a fair game. Everyone had the opportunity to take potential buyers through the house, and we did that non-stop. Whether they were going to come and bid on a day or not, the people that came in absolutely loved our house and the auction obviously proved that.”
Throughout the season, Omar and Oz were vocal about their experience with racism from viewers who claimed the team was “dodgy”.
Omar and Oz’s win was bittersweet – not only because of the lacklustre results of their competitors, but due to the commentary regarding the win.
(Image: Nine)“The financial audit – that was one that we had to prove ourselves that we were doing things by the book on The Block. That was pretty sad. It did feel like we were targeted a little bit there.”
Negativity aside, Omar and Oz are glad to be a beacon of Muslim and Lebanese representation on Australian television.
“At end of the day, we’ve had so much more support than we’ve had hate. And we absolutely love everyone that does support us.”
WATCH: The Block’s Omar and Oz – SOLD. Article continues after video
One of their biggest supporters is the host himself, Scott Cam, who Omar and Oz confess, despite his seemingly short fuse, is a big old softie.
“He’s got a massive heart. He was probably more nervous than anyone before the auction yesterday. And the poor bloke’s been doing it for over 10 years now.
“He wants everyone to do well. Just how happy he was for us really put a massive smile on our face and I could imagine not long after that he would’ve been extremely sad as well. Not many people see that side of him, but we definitely did.”
While O&O may have gone home happy, the same wasn’t the case for the remaining contestants.
“(Scott Cam) has got a massive heart.”
(Image: Nine)When Tom and Sarah-Jane received only $20,000 profit from their property, the best-mates knew things were dire.
“We were very devastated for them. It is a competition, don’t get me wrong. But just to show you how humble and how genuine we are, we were so devastated. We thought of their young one straight away and we were like, if they got that, what about the rest? We did not want it to go down like that. Absolutely not.
“Let’s just hope Sharon and Jenny and that walk away with some decent money after their houses got passed in.”
So, what’s next for Omar and Oz?
Well, The Block may not be the last time we see the boys on our screens, with O&O revealing that they are keen to stay on television in “whatever department wants (them)”.
“Everybody loves our talent.
“Some advice that was given to us before we jumped on was ‘be who you are and Australia will love you’. And everybody’s enjoying it.
“So whoever wants a piece of Omar and Oz are more than welcome.”
