Fans of The Block were left wondering when Foreman Keith Schleiger announced he was stepping down from the renovation show this year. Now, he’s finally spilled the beans on why he decided to scale back his involvement after over a decade.
It Wasn’t Just About Family Time…
Initially, Schleiger said he wanted to spend more time with his young family, but it turns out there was more to it. In a recent podcast interview, the father-of-two revealed that dealing with difficult contestants was a major factor in his decision.
Dealing with “D**kheads” Got Old
Imagine being a builder with years of experience, and having to work with amateur contestants who think they know better. Schleiger opened up about the frustration of having to deal with people who didn’t listen to his instructions and would argue with him instead.
“All these amateurs have got no idea what they’re doing,” he said. “We’re building beautiful homes for people, and I never got why people [contestants] would argue with me. It just didn’t make sense.”
The Drama Was Real
Who can forget the dramatic confrontations between Schleiger and some of the contestants? Last year, he even called out a few couples for relying too heavily on him and fellow foreman Dan Reilly. It turns out that the tension was real, and Schleiger was often at the receiving end of unwanted grief.
“I used to get grumpy on telly, but there was a reason for it. [I had] some d**khead just giving me grief, and it wasn’t warranted,” he said.
The Good Old Days
Despite the downsides, Schleiger has some fond memories of working on The Block. He described the experience as a “big adrenaline rush” and said it taught him how to work quickly and efficiently.
What’s Next for Foreman Keith?
Schleiger has handed over the reins to Foreman Dan and is now focusing on his new business, Keith’s Bathrooms and Renovations. Meanwhile, The Block is gearing up for its 21st season in the country town of Daylesford, Victoria.