A look back at the history of The Block's infamous Gnome

The Gnome is one of the biggest advantages a team can win on The Block, so it’s no surprise its history is quite controversial.

Since being introduced to the show, the Gnome has had several looks, from silver to gold and even grassy.

This year an all-new Gnome with a sandy look is on The Block, and it will function as it has before.

The Gnome can be won by teams at a challenge, and it can be played during the Room Reveal judging. It can only be played after Darren Palmer and Neale Whittaker or Marty Fox’s scores have been revealed, but before Shaynna Blaze’s scores are revealed to the teams.

This year the Gnome made it’s first appearance during the Sand Sculpting Challenge.

In the challenge the teams visited head to Brighton Baths where they had to build the most impressive sand sculpture.

Leah and Ash took out the win, impressing judges with the technical skill it took to pull off their intricate sea horse design.

The couple were chuffed to take home the prized Gnome.

“That Gnome – that’s just a game changer,” Leah grinned. “That extra point will really come in handy,” Ash agreed.

“We just don’t know when to play it…”

The Gnome has often allowed teams to snatch the win in the past, sometimes causing tears in the process and we’re sure it won’t be any different this season.

Take a look back at the history of the Gnome below:

The Gnome first appeared during Season 5 of the series, which starred our favourite Foreman Dan Reilly when he was a contestant with now-wife Dani.

During this season, the Gnome was bought in for a challenge and didn’t hold value as a bonus point. Instead the teams had to use their Gnome to trade for anything of value.

In Season 13 the Gnome was back – and this time it was silver. Oh, and it had multiplied by 40.

Scott arrived on site with a ute full of silver Gnomes for the teams and presented a challenge. The aim was to use the Gnomes to raise as much money as they could, by exchanging them for goods, products or services. Everything would then go to auction, with all of the money going to charity.

In Season 14 the Gnome returned as as a bonus point advantage.

It was originally hidden in a vault in Apartment 1 at The Gatwick. The couple that chose the apartment, Kerrie and Spence, were allowed to keep the contents of the vault, including the Gnome.

But it was a very eventful season for the Gnome, because naughty contestants Jess and Norm gifted the Gnome to a friend of theirs. The only problem was, it actually belonged to Kerrie and Spence and was worth an extra point.

As Scott Cam explained, “You can’t play the Gnome if you haven’t got the Gnome!”

Of course it was a scramble to get it back and the couple were forced to call in help from a former contestant in Western Australia for its safe return.

Ronnie was met on site from a very relieved Jess as he handed over the precious cargo.

During Season 15 we saw the Gnome pop up a few times, but nothing was more controversial than when El’ise and Matt asked if it was able to be used at judging, seeing as the week was linked to the All Star challenge.

“Obviously the infamous Gnome is in play tonight. We did a challenge with our All Star contestants this week, and technically in my mind a challenge means no Gnome included. So, I would like to know, is this a challenge still or is this an actual reveal night?” she asked.

“The rules of the game are that Andy and Deb can use the bonus point tonight,” Scott told her.

Things got very tense when and Andy and Deb played the Gnome. In the end they won the week by just half a point, and El’ise and Matt were fuming about it at the time.

Tess and Luke also got their hands on a bonus point Gnome after winning a challenge too.

During the 2020 season of The Block, Jimmy and Tam won the Gnome twice.

They won the coveted bonus point during the Blockheads’ game show challenge where they secured their real estate agents for their house listings. During an extra round the Queensland battlers won, which gave them the Gnome.

The couple decided to use the bonus point on their master ensuite.

Their original score during judging was 28, but after playing the point they finished judging with a score of 29 and won the week in a tie with neighbours Luke and Jasmin.

The Gnome came back to bite Luke and Jasmin again later in the season, when it was played by Jimmy and Tam again.

After winning the Gnome in the LEGO challenge, Jimmy and Tam played it during Hallway Week judging.

Jimmy and Tam received a final score of 29 after playing the point, beating Luke and Jasmin by just half a point.

The Perth couple were really salty about the loss, which they did not hide during the Open For Inspections.

The sandy Gnome returned in The Block: Fans vs Faves season last year, and the Fave teams knew just how important it would be during judging.

The Gnome made its first appearance in 2021 as the prize at the cubby house challenge.

Ronnie and Georgia set out to create the biggest and best cubby house possible to secure the win.

The couple managed to impress their little judges – with kids ultimately judging the challenge – with their two-storey rocket ship, which meant the Gnome went home to House 1.

One thing is for sure, it always gets interesting when the Gnome is brought out.

This article was originally published by Nine.com.au. Reproduced with permission.

The latest from The Block

See The Block listings plus recaps, room reveals and renovating advice.

Visit The Block Hub