The Rundown: Neale Whitaker takes aim at Block editors in fiery social media post

The long-time judge of The Block has blasted the show’s editors after parts of an “emotional conversation” between the judges was cut from the program.

Beloved interior designer Neale Whitaker has blasted editing of The Block, taking a swipe at the show for cutting short a scene where he explained why he is stepping back as a judge on the reality show.

Whitaker, who has been a judge on the show for 17 seasons, won’t be seen each week this year owing to his partner battling health issues when The Block was filmed earlier this year.

It is an unusual step for talent to criticise the network they appear on in such a direct manner.

Whitaker explained his pending absence in detail on camera, but little made it into the edit that went to air in the first episode.

Neale Whitaker has taken some time to look after his partner, David Novak-Piper.

“There’s nothing more frustrating than an unexplained decision or an incomplete narrative – especially where health and family are concerned,” Whitaker posted on Instagram.

“I broke the news to Shaynna and Darren that I would be unable to join them each week and explained my reasons. It was an emotional conversation for all of us.

“Unfortunately, those important reasons didn’t make the cut, so here goes.

“This year I’ve chosen to put family first. David, my partner of 20 years, has been experiencing some serious and ongoing health issues and we knew my place was at home.

“Melbourne real estate expert Marty Fox will be standing in for me on the weeks I can’t be there, but I’ll still be popping up from time to time over the next 12 weeks.

“The good news is that David is making great progress, my Block family has been fully supportive of my decision and I’m looking forward to returning to The Block full time for the show’s 20th anniversary season in 2024.”

Albo sparks anger following Farnham comments

A wave of angry John Farnham fans has taken to Facebook to blast Channel 7 for including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in its Spotlight show celebrating the Australian singing icon’s career, claiming it was an unnecessary politicisation.

Viewers wasted no time in posting their bizarre fury at Albanese’s appearance, which accounted for less than a minute in the Spotlight episode, with some believing his comment about the song You’re The Voice was a subliminal message on the pending Voice referendum.

Their complaints seemed quite the overreach.

The Spotlight feature was a gentle, nostalgic flashback show which included dusted-off footage of Farnham in interviews; on The Don Lane Show, receiving a Logie from Bert Newton, singing with Tom Jones on Hey Hey It’s Saturday, and receiving the Australian of the Year honour.

Viewers fumed over the John Farnham special on Spotlight Sunday night.

Albanese’s seemingly benign comment was: “John Farnham is a national treasure and every time Australians hear You’re The Voice they are uplifted by its positive message coming through. He has been the voice behind the soundtrack of our lives as we have grown as a nation.”

Nevertheless, the comment sparked a slew of disgruntled fans to hit the Spotlight Facebook page.

“Really great show, then Albo come on and spoiled it,” one viewer wrote.

“Loved it all till Albo opened his mouth about this Voice. John Farnham’s song The Voice has nothing to do with Albo,” another said.

“Please cut the Albo bit, It is not about all that. We have been bombarded. Let us enjoy John Farnham the Very Special Aussie Man,” another post read.

“Best show on TV for a very long time. … … You are loved John, take care. Didn’t need Albo at the end, though,” another commented.

“Why have they made this political?” asked another. “It has nothing to do with politics. “Albanese should have stayed out of this. John’s the best.”

Angry comments online took aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s appearance on the John Farnham special.

And yet another voiced similar frustration: “What a fantastic special highlighting an amazing talent and a genuine Aussie. But why, why, why would you choose to have Albo have the last say and politicise the whole special. SHAME SHAME SHAME.”

Spotlight: John Farnham – The Lost Tapes aired on Sunday and drew 458,000 overnight capital city viewers for 7.

Kitty Flanagan’s Logie stolen at star-studded after-party

Comedian Kitty Flanagan has revealed her Logie was lost for hours at TV’s night of nights and was eventually found in a toilet in the very early hours of the morning at the celebrity studded afterparty.

Flanagan, the star of the ABC comedy Fisk, was named most popular actress at the recent Logies. Due to a stand-up commitment she did not attend and instead had Julia Zemiro collect the trophy – who then promptly lost it.

Julia Zemiro accepts the Logie on behalf of Kitty Flanagan. Picture: Channel 7

Kitty Flanagan revealed her award had been lost in the bathroom.

“She (Julia) went up and did a beautiful speech and collected my Logie and then the Logie got stolen,” Flanagan said on Have You Been Paying Attention.

“My Logie got stolen. It was recovered at 3am in a toilet and I still don’t know if it was in the toilet or if it was in the region of the toilet.”

Flanagan has plenty to laugh about at the moment.

Fisk has recently been released on Netflix in America and is in the top 10 of most watched new releases on the platform.

Dr Karl discovers hair loss wonder drug

A new drug has helped Neighbours favourite Alan Fletcher overcome alopecia.

In February last year Fletcher, who plays Dr Karl Kennedy on the soap, realised he was shedding his hair at an unusual rate and from all parts of his body.

Alan Fletcher was diagnosed with alopecia last year.

But thanks to a new treatment, he’s back to looking like the Dr Karl of old.

But treatment has seen his body respond strongly and Fletcher was back looking like the Dr Karl of old at the recent Logie Awards.

“My hair is substantially restored,” he said.

“In fact, I may have more now than I had before I started losing it.

“There is a new drug called baricitinib which has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for the treatment of alopecia and it is an auto-immune suppressant.

“I was never unwell. People thought I was unwell, but I was never unwell. I just literally lost my hair.”

Fletcher is soon to be seen on air again as Dr Karl as Neighbours returns to Channel 10 next month after being axed last year.

“Neighbours is back. It is quite remarkable, the biggest surprise of my life, when I heard the news (that the show was being restarted) and I couldn’t be more excited,” he said.

“We have one of the most valuable TV show’s Australia has ever had back on screen and it is the best training ground, as well.”