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The Block auction rigging: Adrian Portelli denies claims

Billionaire Adrian Portelli spent $15 million on the five houses.
The Block 2024: Maddy and Charlotte's Full House Tour
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Longtime fans of ratings juggernaut The Block are threatening to tune out next season after claims this yearโ€™s finale was โ€˜riggedโ€™.

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Frustrated viewers argued on social media that the auction was โ€œmanipulatedโ€ after billionaire Adrian Portelli bought all five houses.

โ€œHim and his advocate, they rigged it,โ€ one claimed.

Aerial shot of The Block homes
Adrian spent all up $15 million on all five houses. (Credit:Media Mode)

Adrian, 35, confessed on Novaโ€™s Jase & Lauren radio show the auction order was predetermined to favour eventual winners, underdog sisters Maddy and Charlotte.

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โ€œWe hand-selected the order to make sure the girls went last. So we can get them to winโ€ฆ my partner loves the show and they were her favourite as well,โ€ he said.

However, he later hit back at the rigging allegations.

โ€œIโ€™ve never once said The Block was rigged. Those words never came out of my mouth,โ€ he said on Instagram. โ€œThey [had] the best house, they were the best contestants.โ€

Adrian and son
Adrian was stoked to give the sisters the win. (Credit:Media Mode)
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Despite his denials, Maddy and Charlotte said they did know prior that Adrian would buy all five properties.

โ€œHe showed interest in all the houses from the start,โ€ Charlotte told the Daily Mail after the auction. โ€œWeโ€™d had quite  a few conversations with Adrian.โ€

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