Queensland fan favourites and former winners of The Block TV show share winning tips

The Block’s Queensland fan favourites and season 16 winners say there is only one way they would return to the popular television series after what happened with their winning house.

Season 16 winners of popular house renovation TV show, The Block, Tamara and Jimmy Wilkins. Picture: @jimmyandtam/Instagram

It has been almost two-and-a-half years since one of The Block’s most memorable auctions, when Queensland fan favourites Jimmy Wilkins and Tamara Wilkins were crowned the winners of season 16.

The Sunshine Coast couple initially sold the house they renovated on Network Nine’s popular renovation television show for $4.2 million, resulting in them making $966,000 in profit, while also taking home $100,000 in first place prize money.

But just a short while later, news emerged of the auction falling through and the Palm Springs, California-inspired home was back on the auction block.

With Tam, 34, now running a successful homewares store, Velzy Lane, and Jimmy, 36, splitting his time between his plumbing business and working as a firefighter, the couple are in a good place following their auction experience.

“It was stressful. Nobody really knew if we actually won,” Tam said.

“Channel 9 kept us informed and came to the party, honouring the prize money.”

The house at 360A New Street, Brighton, Victoria, that Jimmy Wilkins and Tamara Wilkins of the Sunshine Coast renovated in Season 16 of the Network Nine TV show, The Block. Picture: Supplied

Looking back on their experience with the TV show, Tam and Jimmy, of Pomona, said while they loved their time filming in Brighton, Victoria, the distance from their then-4-year-old daughter, Frankie, was difficult.

“It took a toll on our daughter, after we did the show she was worried whether we would be gone again for a long period,” Jimmy said.

With season 16 of the popular series premiering on August 23, 2020, filming was interrupted as the initial Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns were announced.

“The hardest part was the lockdown,” Tam said.

“We were told the journey was over and we had to go home. The Block would get builders to finish the build of the home.

“We were seven weeks into the show at that point and had poured blood, sweat and tears into the home.

“We were then told it’s over because of Covid.

“The physical rest was great but mentally we had no idea what was happening.”

Jimmy and Tam were eventually allowed back to the set and were able to complete the build.

Inside the house at 360A New Street, Brighton in Victoria, that Sunshine Coast couple Jimmy Wilkins and Tamara Wilkins renovated in Season 16 of the Network Nine TV show, The Block in 2020. Picture: Supplied

Early in the series the couple were established as prize contenders, taking out the weekly room prize several times as well as winning more challenges than any other team.

“It was hard dealing with social media,” Tam said.

“We weren’t prepared. You can say you’re going to be tough but it’s hard to put up a front.”

“We went into it with a game plan to not cause a fuss, should be sweet,” Jimmy said.

“Australia has a massive tall poppy syndrome and despite knowing the outcome, we would go into weeks with anxiety about what Australia would be saying about us on social media.”

When the couple were given the news they would be appearing on The Block they only had two weeks to prepare.

“When you’re told it’s a big mind fuzz. We re-watched every episode to see what the judges would want. We also discovered how important it is to say yes to Keith and Dan,” Jimmy said.

The couples from season 16 remain close.

“We still talk to all the other contestants from our season through social media,” Jimmy said.

“We watch each new episode and then comment on it in our group chat.”

Outside of the cast, Tam said the people behind the camera had also become close with them during filming.

Another part of the house, at 360A New St, Brighton in Victoria, that Sunshine Coast couple Jimmy Wilkins and Tamara Wilkins renovated in Season 16 of the Network Nine TV show, The Block in 2020. Picture: Supplied

“We loved the crew and built great friendships with the producers,” Tam said.

Jimmy added they still talk to their builder and electrician.

“Scott Cam is also a legend. He’s a bloody good bloke and we got along well.”

The five-bedroom home the couple renovated, known as ‘House five’ on the show, eventually sold about six months after the original sale fell through.

The house sold for about $4 million.

Tam said that while she loved her time on The Block the only way they would go back on the show would be to appear as guests.

“We don’t want to double dip,” she said.

“We had our chance, now it’s their turn.”

The 19th season of The Block, which first hit Australian television screens in 2003, is scheduled to start later in 2023.