The Block 2022‘s Omar Slaimankhel and Oz Malik have demanded a “public apology” following fan claims they “rigged” their massive win last season.
The Sydney-based besties sparked a sh*t-ton of controversy during the 18th season after their millionaire mate Adrian Portelli entered a bidding war with serial The Block buyer Danny Wallis.
After the duo won the show when their house sold for $5.586 million, viewers alleged Adrian was a “dummy bidder” enlisted to jack up the sale of their property.
However, Adrian, the founder of giveaway business LMCT+, returned to the show this year, forking out over $12 million on three of the 2023 homes.
This includes eventual winners Steph and Gian Ottavio, whose home sold for $5 million.
Omar and Oz have since taken to social media to hit back at those who alleged they “rigged” their winning auction.
“What a crazy ride, [Steph and Gian] deserved it. You had the best house on The Block by far,” Omar said. “Also, congratulations to my boy Adrian [Portelli], keep doing your thing, bro, keep making them talk.
“I want a public apology from everyone that said Oz and I rigged that auction last year and we had a dummy bidder.”
He added: “That ‘dummy’ spent close to $15m on The Block this season. So it is, what it is, I’ll be waiting.”
The Block‘s Oz Malik echoes Omar Slaimankhel’s request for an ‘apology’
In the same clip, Oz also congratulated Steph and Gian on their record-breaking win.
“I couldn’t agree more with Omar — a public apology [from] everybody who thought Omar and I rigged the auctions last year,” he requested.
“Guys, we knew who we networked with, we knew who we invited to our house, and we invited to bid on ours, and this year our boy proved everybody wrong.”
Oz concluded: “Not only does he change lives for a living but he’s a legitimate and successful businessman that wants to make a difference and wants to inspire every Australian.”
Omar and Oz asking for fans to apologise comes after it was revealed Adrian was advised not to bid on Kristy and Brett Beams‘ House Three following “bullying” allegations.
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