Mustachioed worker Ricky Recard lights up the screen as a lovable prankster in the latest season of The Block, with a heartbreaking backstory.
But his close-knit family in rural Victoria have hit back at the resident heartthrob’s claims of a “troubled” home life when he was younger.
The bitter family rift has led Recard to cut off all contact with his relatives, who he says were not even aware he had changed his name from Richard Blennerhasset.
Estranged dad Martin Blennerhasset admits his eldest son left home after a row with his mother Debbie one Christmas Day – and their relationship has been “strained” ever since.
But the father-of-three said it was difficult to watch his son claim on The Block that he ran away from an abusive home as a teenager and “hasn’t really had a family for about 16 years”.
“I’m not proud of the night he left,” Blennerhasset admitted to the Daily Mail Australia. “I have vivid memories of the altercation he had with his mother.
‘But I want to be clear when I say that I have never hit my children or been violent.
“There was no violence in our house, and as far as alcohol goes, I’d be lucky to have three beers in a week.”
Ricky’s mother Debbie was “devastated and heartbroken” by Recard’s claims on television, she said.
“He’s quite fragile at the moment, it’s been a difficult time for all of us,” Blennerhasset said.
Ricky Block said he grew up in an environment plagued by alcohol and violence.
Debbie and Martin Blennerhasset hope to one day be reunited with their eldest son.
The couple remain close with their younger children, Tom and Melanie, who are also estranged from their older brother, the reality star.
“Melanie called and introduced herself to Rick on the phone a few weeks ago and he hung up on her,” Blennerhasset revealed.
“I am very disappointed that Channel Nine has not done due diligence in verifying its story.”
The family was shocked to learn that The Block contestant had even changed his name from Richard John Blennerhasset to now be known as Ricky Recard.
“You’ve legally changed your name, right? To what?” he asked.
Despite their disappointment at what they claim is an inaccurate portrayal of their family life, Ricky’s parents still hold out hope of one day burying the hatchet with him.
“We still love him and we’re proud of him, he’s a very active young man,” Blennerhasset said.
‘It’s never too late to reconnect, there’s no doubt that his family loves him.’
Ricky Recard, left, has made quite an impression on female fans after joining The Block alongside best friend Haydn Wise (pictured) on Team Yellow.
His heartbroken ex-girlfriend Lauren Smith (pictured) says she was “blindsided” after looking after his dog and house for three months while he was busy filming The Block.
The bombshell comes after Daily Mail Australia revealed that Recard dumped his girlfriend Lauren Smith for married makeup artist Erin Lee after they met on the show.
Ms Smith said she spent three months looking after Ricky’s dogs and house while he filmed the show, only for him to break up with her shortly after.
On Tuesday’s Fox show Fifi Fev & Nick, co-host Brendan Fevola asked Recard if he was a lover, but the reality star insisted that was “a little harsh.”
He added: “I have nothing bad to say about her (Smith).
‘I was lucky enough to meet Erin just before filming for The Block began, on one of the launch days we had there (Phillip Island).
“The block seems to be good for a couple of things. It’s not just about building dream homes for potential families, but also about a love story. We’re very happy.”