The Guns Are Out: Copying Scandal Rocks The Block

Mitch and Mark have been involved in their fair share of drama this season, accused of being professional renovators. NOW they're throwing shade on Jesse and Mel

The guns are literally out this week on The Block! Mitch and Mark along with Jesse and Mel are showing some muscle in the unfolding copying scandal.

Professional renovators Mitch and Mark dropped a HUGE bombshell during a radio interview with former Block contestant Jess Eva (now Triple M Breakfast Show host), as part of the Ronald McDonald House "Unswap" Challenge, accusing Jesse and Mel in House 5 of copying the entire design of their home from a prestigious local development called Saint Moritz. According to the boys, this is somewhere Jesse previously worked as a real estate agent before becoming a contestant on The Block.

Former Block contestant now Triple M breakfast show host Jess Eva's bombshell interview with Mitch and Mark.

Unaware of the unfolding drama, Jesse and Mel were then forced to defend themselves live on air at the Triple M studios. Hitting back, Jesse insisted he took inspiration for his design from any number of luxury properties in the area, including the Saint Moritz.
 Mitch and Mark reviewing plans and images, what have they uncovered?!

Never ones to back away from a stoush, Mitch and Mark refuted this assertion, showing images from a Saint Moritz brochure, which they believed had “shocking” and very specific similarities to Jesse and Mel’s place, including their choice of flooring, lighting, doors, kitchen design etc.

The plot thickens as Jesse and Mel then accuse one of the show’s executive producers of engineering the whole scandal by suggesting to Mitch and Mark that they level this accusation at House 5. And he knows this is true – because Mitch and Mark told him that was how it all started.

The producer then has to defend himself by saying that Mitch and Mark in fact first raised their concerns about Jesse and Mel copying their design with him and if they are saying anything else they are clearly lying.

Jesse and Mel don’t know who to believe and leave the studio reeling – someone has clearly betrayed them. But who?

Jesse pondering plans. Has he really copied the entire aesthetic of his apartment from the Saint Moritz development?

Eventually, they are shown the proof. Mitch and Mark were the ones who started it when they called the producer in question and raised their concerns about copying. The proof comes in the form of a car-camera video of them making the initial call.

Jesse and Mel are understandable dismayed – and now feel completely betrayed. This is especially hard on Mel who felt that Mitch had become one of her closest friends.

Is the friendship really now over thanks to 'copygate'?

Meanwhile, time is ticking away on the “Upswap Challenge” and most teams have settled on their final product except for House 4’s El’ise and Matt who are determined to use every last second to get the most value out of it. In the end, they secure a $45,000 package from Lotte Duty-Free which would seem to put them into first place.

Next morning and Mitch visits Jesse and Mel but has no idea they know he has been lying to them. What follows is an extremely awkward scene where Jesse and Mel confront him about his betrayal.

Next, we take a tour of each houses plans for their rooms this week, followed by a visit to HQ for the winner announcement of yesterday’s Ronald McDonald House Challenge.

The winners are El’ise and Matt, who take home $5000 towards their renovations from McCafe.

Scott Cam then announces that he is adding an extra week to the competition and to give each team an extra $20,000. This is because all five teams have now decided that they want to renovate a rooftop terrace, which wasn’t on the original plans that were provided at the beginning of the competition.

Scott and Shelley then do a walkaround of the 5 houses. They discuss “copygate” with Jesse and Mel who describe how upset they were about being betrayed by Mitch and Mark. They also raise the issue with the other teams. Finally, they visit Mitch and Mark who still aren’t feeling like talking about it.

The episode concludes with Andy putting on a birthday party for wife Deb in their home – a roast dinner – which turns out to be a very funny comedians roast of the other contestants by Andy. Mitch and Mark depart early as their not really feeling very social. The friendship is well and truly over.

Despite the sticky situation, the love is strong between Jesse and Mel back on site.

For more news from The Block 2019

Take a look at Mitch and Mark's renovations BEFORE the Block

Take our quiz to find which Blockhead you REALLY are

The Block Shop Pop Up is open on Fitzroy Street, St Kilda!

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Take a peek inside Andy and Deb's real-life home

Meet the contestants HERE

Shop the couples rooms HERE

View all 2019 room reveals HERE