judges made their first official appearance of the season during Sunday night's episode with one person noticeably absent. While Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer and Marty Fox shared their critiques for the teams’ bathroom transformations, fans took to social media to say that they “missed” Neale Whitaker. The interior design expert, who has appeared on the reality show since season three in 2010, that he was stepping back from his role to be with his partner David as he battled “some serious health issues”.
Speaking with at the on Sunday evening, Neale opened up about his decision to leave the series this year and said it was “time to move on”. “Oh gosh, it was a big decision, but it was something that I had to do for my personal life,” he shared. “After 13 years, it kind of felt like the timing was right.
I gave it my best shot for all those years, and it was time to move on. “It's always going to have a very special place for me, that show, always. And I think if I'm honest, I'll always feel like an honorary member of the show - I don't know whether they'll approve of that, but that's how I feel.
” Neale’s co-star Andrew Winter added that he believes “the ratings are going to tumble” now that he’s left “Either that or they'll go up!” Neale laughed. Neale revealed in his statement earlier this year that although he’s “permanently” handed his role to Marty Fox, he will make an appearance on this year’s milestone twentieth season “from time to time”. “It’s been such a privilege to be part of Australia’s most iconic TV show for an unbelievable 13 years - unbelievable to me, anyway,” he wrote.
Neale went on to thank the show's creators for “having faith” in him from the beginning, as well as his fellow judges, Shaynna and Darren, who he says have “become good friends”. He also thanked the people who work on the show, including the production team and the crew, as well as the contestants. “And thank you to Nine for having me on its flagship show for so long.
Congratulations and good luck to this year’s Blockheads for their Phillip Island journey,” he concluded..
