Adrian ‘Mr Lambo’ Portelli made a shocking confession on Monday about what goes on behind the scenes of The Block, admitting that the auction was rigged.
The billionaire businessman, 35, who made history Sunday night when he snapped up all of Block’s Phillip Island homes for $15.03 million, told Nova’s Jase & Lauren that the order of the auction was predetermined.
‘We carefully selected the order of the auction to make sure the girls (Maddy and Charlotte Harry) were last. This way we can make them win,’ Portelli began.
The Harry sisters became the youngest winners of The Block auction, taking home a staggering $1.65 million profit in Sunday night’s thrilling finale, and their renovated Phillip Island property sold for 3.5 million dollars.
Portelli revealed that it was decided that his house would be the last to go up for auction, to increase the drama.
‘The girls cared. They arrived late. They were the underdogs, they were mocked and bullied.
He said Marry and Charlotte were informed in advance why their property would be auctioned last, adding that the other contestants were kept in the dark.
‘It was just the girls (who were in the plan). How good is that? “They are the sweetest and most innocent and they were the ones who played the best.”
Adrian ‘Mr Lambo’ Portelli made a shocking confession on Monday about what goes on behind the scenes of The Block, admitting that the auction was rigged. Pictured with contestants Maddy and Charlotte Harry.
Maddy, 24, and Charlotte, 22, also took home an additional $100,000 for their monumental win, on their four-bedroom, three-bathroom home that had a reserve of $1.85 million.
‘We are very grateful, it is a very surreal feeling. “I’m so proud of both of us and how hard we worked,” Maddy said of her win.
Charlotte added: “Ending The Block on such a high note is very special.” We never thought it would be like this. I couldn’t have had this experience with anyone but Maddy.’
The Sydney Sisters entered the heated 20th season midway through filming, after couple Paige Beechey and Jesse Maguire downed their tools.
The billionaire businessman, 35, who made history Sunday night when he snapped up all of Block’s Phillip Island homes for $15.03 million, told Nova’s Jase & Lauren that the order of the auction was predetermined.
He said Marry and Charlotte were informed in advance why their property would be auctioned last, adding that the other contestants were kept in the dark. Pictured: your winning property
Despite their rocky entry into the competition, they certainly made a big impression with their finished home, as they secured an impressive offer.
It comes after Portelli revealed his crash plan for ‘Block Island’ after purchasing the five contestants’ homes during auction day.
He revealed that he will be giving away all the houses in a massive ‘resort giveaway’ through his LMCT+ raffle business.
‘Under new management! And as mayor of the city of Portelli, I would like to announce a world first. WE’RE GIVING AWAY A FKN RESORT!’ Adrian captioned his Facebook post.
Pictured: Lauren Phillips, as Portelli admitted details of her plan on air on her Nova breakfast show.
‘1 drawing – 1 prize – Winner takes the entire resort OR $8,000,000 in instant tax-free cash! Let the game begin.
Accompanying the announcement was a photo of Portelli posing next to one of his luxury cars inside the Block complex he just purchased.
He was all smiles as he leaned against his vehicle holding an LMCT+ banner with a “No Vacancies” sign artfully captured in the image.
The Portelli ‘rewards club’ has made billions watching its customers pay for different levels of membership to receive a series of entries into luxury gifts.
It comes after Portelli revealed his crash plan for ‘Block Island’ after purchasing the five contestants’ homes during auction day. Pictured: Facebook post from Portelli’s business.
Portelli has been buying block houses for three seasons and giving them away in his raffles.
He confessed to The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday morning that he doesn’t even like Phillip Island and that’s why he’s giving away the five properties, packaged as a ‘resort’, in the draw.
The shocking confession came when presenter Jackie ‘O’ Henderson asked the businessman: ‘So what are you going to do with all these houses, Adrian?’
“Well, I was thinking about opening my own resort, but I’m actually going to give it to one of my clients,” Adrian responded.
Kyle Sandilands explained: ‘That’s what he does. Every time he buys these houses he gives them to one of his clients… It’s part of a contest (LMCT+).’
“We give them away and someone takes it,” Adrian said, before criticizing the location where The Block was filmed this year.
“I’m not a big fan of Phillip Island. It’s a little complicated for me. “I can’t be bothered to drive to that point,” he said.