The lead-up to Jesse Maguire and Paige Beechey‘s exit from The Block 2024 was reportedly “worse” than what eventually aired.
For those playing catch-up, the engaged Western Australians opted to quit the landmark 20th season of the renovation show after it became clear their mental health was suffering as a result of filming the series.
To viewers, it appeared that the pair’s relationship was crumbling, with “villain” Paige particularly being slammed online for her treatment of her fiancé.
The insurance claims specialist has since defended herself against the “bad edit” online and to So Dramatic!.
However, one production insider claims that her portrayal is very much a case of what you see is what you get.
“People are talking about the edit. Honestly, at times it was worse than what has been seen and while they didn’t always fight — it was the main part of their storyline and it was the truth behind their overall time on the show,” the source told PEDESTRIAN.TV.
The Block producers ‘struggled’ to watch drama between Jesse and Paige
The insider revealed that the “first five weeks of The Block” (the period of time Jesse and Paige were on the show) “were some of the hardest storylines to shoot”.
“Many of the story producers struggled to sit by and watch the drama between Jesse and Paige unfold,” they confessed.
“Some of the most shocking moments captured were off their car cameras and on the hot microphones at nighttime. The cars are actually an interesting part of the filming as there are no producers — it is just them talking by themselves. They choose what to say and producers can’t interject.”
The source said the tension between Jesse and Paige “really built in the last 24 hours”, which is what fans saw “play out on camera”.
“Something needed to be done and eventually it became a priority to do what was best for them and everyone felt overwhelmed and sad to see them go.”
Host Scott Cam has also since assured that Nine facilitated “professional help” for the couple upon their return to Perth. He also denied they “forced” the couple out.
The inside goss about Jesse and Paige’s exit comes after they confirmed to So Dramatic! that they’re still together, despite speculation that they’ve called it quits since ditching The Block.
Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!
Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here!
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.