Melbourne chippies Tim and Mat have fast become the larrikins of this year’s House Rules. But a few years ago, the brothers were devastated when their grandfather and “hero”, Lachie, died after a long battle with dementia.
“We were all very close to him,” Mat, 27, tells TV WEEK. “We idolised him. And then he passed suddenly. It’s probably the worst thing our family has had to go through.”
The siblings think their grandfather would find their TV career hilarious.
“He’d just call us whackers!” Tim, 32, says with a laugh.
Their late grandfather, Lachie, battled dementia. (Image: Channel Seven.)
This week, the teams face the daunting task of renovating Tim’s family home in Melbourne, which he shares with wife Kate and their one-year-old daughter, Isabella.
Despite how tough it is for Tim to be away from his wife and daughter, the result will be a beautifully renovated home for his family. But getting it right is important – when the other teams were renovating his 1950’s weatherboard cottage, they were forced to reconsider their design choices after laying dark flooring through the house.
“I’m not the biggest fan of dark floors,” Tim admitted during the walk-through with host Johanna Griggs. But the Atari gaming console installed by Lisa and Andy was a winner for the brothers.
For Tim, being away from his wife and daughter is the tough price for his home renovation. (Image: Channel Seven.)
As for Mat, it’s not quite time for marriage or children. He’s been in a relationship with his partner for five years, but they’d rather travel and buy their own home before having children.
Tim says he owes Mat “big time” for agreeing to join him on the show.
“I’m sure if Mat buys his own house, I’ll be there every weekend renovating!”
House Rules airs Monday to Wednesday, 7.30pm and Sunday, 7pm on Channel Seven.
