When Scott Cam agreed to be the face of Australia’s favourite reno show 14 years ago, he had no idea he would have to take on the role of counsellor as well as host!
“There was a lot of drama last season on The Block,” the Gold Logie-winning presenter admits.
“There were contestants who had problems with each other, and that was exhausting.
“This series, right from the get-go, I have had to talk a few people down from the ledge, which was unusual because that normally doesn’t happen until week five, but this time it happened straight away. It’s definitely a shock for them. It is exhausting and it never gets any easier, you just learn to cope with it.”
Scott can add ‘counsellor” to his already lengthy resume!
With tight deadlines, judges to impress and hectic renovations to complete, it’s little wonder the contestants struggle to cope with the pressure – and it’s only set to get worst as they tackle The Block’s biggest building site yet , Melbourne’s infamous Gatwick Hotel – or the “hell hotel” as dubbed by the locals.
“The building is infamous, and it has certainly housed some colourful people,” says Scott, 55, alluding to the murder there in 2014.
“It has some scary stories attached to it, but it has a lot of potential.”
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While the contestants put on a brave face and refused to let the tales spook them, Scott admits they struggled to find their place at the start of the season.
“None of the contestants got any sleep for the first two days,” he says.
“The rooms in the Gatwick are very small and dirty, and they had to sleep there. That place is pretty rough around the edges and we didn’t clean up for them. All the walls had to come out, so it was the biggest job we have done yet.”
Want more celeb goss? Listen to the latest episode of the Woman’s Day Uncensored Podcast, where the team discuss Simone Callahan’s big interview on A Current Affair, plus they dish palace goss on Meghan Markle and lift the lid on Ita Buttrose’s revenge.
Apart from the lengthy hours on set, Scott says the most challenging part of his job is being away from wife Ann and their three kids, Charlie and twins Sarah and Bill, who all live in Sydney.
But now that his twins have jetted off to Europe for four months, it gives Scott and Ann a great excuse to travel the world!
“We are missing the twins a lot and it was really hard saying goodbye, but Ann is planning to visit them. And when I’m done, I will tag along on their trip!”
