Best mates from Melbourne, VIC

These loveable larrikins from Victoria have been best mates for 20 years. They spend so much time together they are more like brothers. They became really close in 2009 after Haydn’s father passed away and Ricky lost one of his best mates.

Haydn’s wife Chelsea will be eight and half months pregnant when the boys start on The Block, so a Block baby is guaranteed. As well as working hard, they are looking forward to making friends on The Block. “We bring out the best in people,” Ricky said. “We are all about making sure people enjoy their time and moments, because that is what life is about.”

Experience

Ricky renovated his apartment in the Melbourne suburb of Seaford, and admits he blew the budget by $70,000. Other than that, not much renovation experience between them. They know they might struggle with the all-important styling part of their rooms. “That is where we might clash,” Ricky joked. “We will take each battle as they come.”

Ricky, 34, Plumber

Ricky is extremely hard-working and isn’t afraid to get on the tools to get the job done. He owns his own electrician company and is used to working and managing a team. It’s always been a dream of his to be on The Block and he’s got the skills to do well.

Outside of work, Ricky goes to the gym most days and is up by 4am every morning, often to go stand-up paddle boarding in Melbourne’s Port Melbourne Bay.

“The Block is a big deal, and a bigger deal being the 20 th season,” he said. “To be part of that is amazing and humbling. I plan to enjoy every minute of it.”

Haydn, 37, IT Manager

Hard-working Haydn and Chelsea have been trying for nearly a decade to have a baby and tried IVF for years without success. Last year they conceived naturally, which was a beautiful surprise. Then Haydn found out he and his best mate Ricky were on The Block, and he had a big decision to make. Ultimately, the pros of doing The Block and potentially setting up his young family was enough for him and Chelsea to come to the decision that this is an opportunity too good to miss.

“It was touch and go as I will be missing out on those crucial moments,” he said. “But the decision has been made and my lovely wife Chelsea has supported me through it.”

Together

Ricky and Haydn know each other incredibly well, which will be a huge asset on The Block. They plan to bring their unique fashion style to the build, which can be described as fluoro and “something out of the 1990s”. “We know how to help each other through thick and thin, the good times and the bad,” Haydn said.