'Frustrating to watch': Why this is Neale Whitaker's biggest bug-bear on The Block

Whether you love it or you hate it, you can’t deny that The Block has serious staying power.

The Block judge Neale Whitaker said he never expected the show to do as well as it has.

“When I signed up to do The Block in 2010, if anyone said to me you’d still be doing this in 10 years time, I would’ve said ‘get out’ “, Whitaker said.

The Block franchise has become an “extraordinary phenomenon” and has since been adapted in 14 countries.

“It gets bigger and bigger each season,” Whitaker said. “I know for a fact that the scale of the next season of The Block is going to make the one that’s just gone to air seem really small.”

Despite his “huge affection” for the show, Whitaker admitted it was frustrating to watch contestants deliver “boring” rooms.

“One of my biggest bug-bears about The Block is when they deliver cookie cutter interiors that have no individuality,” he said.

Whitaker, who earned a reputation as the blunt judge, said his judging choices are based entirely on gut instinct.

“My fellow judge, Darren Palmer, is a little more scientific about it and separates out points for functionality and creativity. I don’t. For me it’s completely gut driven.”

He might be tough on the contestants, but Whitaker has “a lot of respect” for the work they do.

“Not only are they dealing with the stresses of being on a reality TV show and living life in a gold fish bowl for three months, but they’re also trying to create interiors each week that are interesting enough to win money and win votes from the judges,” he said.

“On top of that, the interiors have to be neutral enough to sell their apartments come auction day, it’s a big call.”

The former editor of Vogue Living and Belle Magazine, recently stepped away from his 27-year-long career in publishing to pursue his television career full time.

“It felt right,” he said. “I had an absolute ball in the magazine world and for many years I was able do two things in tandem [edit and be a judge on The Block], but when I was offered the role of co-host of Love It Or List It. I knew I could no longer continue to edit a magazine and do that.”

Whitaker said Love It Or List It, allows him to solve dilemmas for home owners and give them what they want, “not what I think they should want”.

“With Love it Or List It, I’m not only the co-host but I’m also the interior designer on the show and I get to interact with the home owners and help them create the perfect space for their needs.”

“I feel like I get the opportunity to be me, whereas on The Block what you see is a bit more of a stereotype or a caricature.”

Despite being a former magazine editor, Whitaker is not a fan of trends.

“Some people are prepared to have a colour in their home they don’t even particularly like because it’s ‘in’. I don’t get that.”

“I think homes are very personal expressions of ourselves and our lives so I believe you should choose things that you love not things that are fashionable.”

– This originally appeared on Stuff