The Block stars Mitch and Mark on their new show: Location, Location, Location

As they embark on a new role as TV hosts, Mitch and Mark reveal what’s happened to their eye-watering prize money from The Block.

Two-time Block contestants Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie are among a very exclusive club of Australian reality TV stars: Those who’ve smashed the million-dollar mark in their TV winnings.

They first competed in the 2019 season of the show, renovating the Oslo hotel in St Kilda, and netted a very respectable profit of $384,000 (despite finishing in last place).

Two years later they were back for a Fans vs Faves season, this time winning the show for a profit of close to $750,000.

That’s given them a total winnings of more than $1.1 million – putting them second only to last year’s Block winners Omar and Oz as the show’s most successful team.

Almost two years on from their last Block outing, what have they spent their million-dollar windfall on?

“Have you seen his wardrobe?” jokes Mark of his partner of the last 18 years, always one for a bold fashion choice.

Mitch (left) and Mark are the hosts of Location, Location, Location.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t all been designer shopping sprees. The pair bought a beach house in Newport, north of Sydney, in December 2019 – a place that sounded “amazing on paper: ocean views, multiple levels, large amount of bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple living areas, it’s falling down around our ears,” says Mitch.

He says once they’d moved in, they realised a home that they thought needed “some renovating” now needs “some saving.”

So as they chip away at what needs to be fixed on the home, Mitch says their TV windfall is “tucked away in an account that I don’t have access to. That’s probably wise.”

So, no early retirement for these two. Instead, they’ve turned the tables as TV stars: After two outings as reality TV contestants, this time they’re playing co-hosts, presenting Ten’s new revamp of the popular property show Location, Location, Location.

Launching on Friday night in the 7:30pm lifestyle slot vacated by The Living Room last year, the show sees Mitch and Mark guiding aspiring homeowners as they attempt to buy their first properties.

The most common issue they’ve seen so far among those who’ve been enlisted for the show: House-hunters whose budgets don’t match their tastes.

Mitch on Location, Location, Location.

“A lot of people come with a big wish list of what they want in a home – It’s our job to help them understand what they can get, for the money they have available. They may need to compromise to get something and get into the market,” says Mitch.

“Our view is once you’re in the market, you’re in a safe place. It’s often about getting in where you can, and not necessarily focusing on buying your dream home first up. The dream home can come later down the track.”

These prospective home buyers often come to the show after they’ve already been searching for months, or even years, with no luck. Mark says he and Mitch have been dubbed “property therapists” by some weary participants, who were desperate for their expert assistance.

“My background is in psychology, so I think it’s probably true to some extent. Because for some people, they can’t see what the opportunity is in a property because they’re angry or frustrated or disappointed when they’re walking into that place. So we try to help them with that,” he says.

“It is a really emotional thing. Find your home is so important. It’s the biggest purchase you’re likely to make in your life.”

From The Block …

… to the red carpet. Picture: Getty

“Property therapist” is definitely a different role for the pair after their two outings on The Block – a combined 107 episodes of television that let Australia see them at their best and their worst. But they scoff at the suggestion hosting a show affords them more control over their image than being contestants.

“You assume that I have any control,” Mitch says. “I have a condition that’s like, my thoughts just fall out of my mouth. And if they don’t fall out of my mouth, they fall out through my eyes anyway.”

But Mark says the show is a different beast to the reality drama of their previous TV outings – and he hopes it provides a service to any viewers who are also trying to navigate the stressful experience that is buying a home.

“There are people who will be watching Location, Location, Location, who have been through the same thing: They’ve had the frustration of being pipped at the post at auctions, they’ve negotiated with real estate agents and it hasn’t worked out,” he says.

“I tell the people on the show: You’re helping us tell your story, which helps people watching because they can relate to that story.”

Location, Location, Location premieres 7:30pm Friday June 30 on 10.