Block controversy as two stars leave the show ‘prematurely’

Insiders on The Block are questioning the reasoning behind the decision of a former AFL star and his beauty blogger fiancee to leave the show.

Questions are being asked as to whether fashion and beauty blogger Elle Ferguson and her fiance Joel Patfull quit The Block prematurely.

The couple, who were touted as the Elyse Knowles and Josh Barker of the new season, dramatically called time on the show on day one of filming in Melbourne, after Patfull’s Adelaide-based mother suffered a nasty fall which resulted in bleeding on the brain.

After noticing Ferguson and Patfull spent just two days in Adelaide before jetting home to Sydney, many are wondering whether the couple were rash to leave the show so quickly.

“The show is in pre-production,” one insider said.

“There’s no way they couldn’t have managed to see his mum and still work on the show.”

Former contestants on The Block, Elle Ferguson and partner Joel Patfull

A post on Elle Ferguson’s Instagram

It is believed the pair were prompted to walk away when they couldn’t get a definitive answer from Nine as to whether they would be able to come and go while filming so Patfull, a former GWS Giants player, could see his mother.

It is also understood they will head back to Adelaide this week to check on her prognosis.

Elle Ferguson pictured on her Instagram account.

Elle Ferguson pictured on her Instagram account.

Despite the sudden change of plans, it looks to be business as usual on Ferguson’s social media channels, with the popular influencer sharing her outfits and workouts on Instagram over the past few days.

Her agent said on Saturday the fake tan entrepreneur had “banked up” three months of content which she was currently uploading.

She also said the couple had needed to make a decision about their stint on The Block quickly and didn’t want to take the opportunity away from another couple.

Ferguson took to social media this week to share the sudden change of plans.

“Wherever you are in the world. Whatever you are doing. Family always comes first,” she posted to her stories, with an image of a packed baggage trolley at Melbourne airport.