The Block’s newest judge has revealed some of what really goes on behind the cameras on the hit renovation show.

Marty Fox is in Brisbane to launch his first WHITE FOX office in Queensland, which will start with nine staff, and be backed by one of the city’s most celebrated developers and builders, Graya.

A screenshot of judges Shaynna Blaze and Marty Fox from The Block 2024.

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Fresh from filming The Block, the real estate guru and serial property flipper says there’s nothing like the pressure of combining renovating and television.

“It is cameras 24/7, it is mics 24/7, you cannot escape,” Mr Fox said You’ve got pressure, you’ve got money, your relationship on the line, and it’s renovating, which is hard for most people, let alone cameras and no escape.”

New Block judge Marty Fox from White Fox Real Estate in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied/Channel 9

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Mr Fox said the casting for this year’s show took nine months, while filming only took three.

“The Block is all in the cast,” he said. “They meet 40,000 people and they land on the right people to throw in that environment.”

So, how did Marty Fox become the replacement for well-known former judge, Neale Whittaker?

A screenshot from The Block 2024 of judge Shaynna Blaze, Marty Fox, and Darren Palmer.

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The Melbourne-based real estate agent sold Rachel and Ryan’s home in the 2022 season and also auctioned Harry and Tash’s home back on The Block 2020, so he had already caught the eye of the show’s executives.

“I was originally an auctioneer and I thought; ‘What a great opportunity to stand out’, and I rocked up to the auction in shorts and a pair of Gucci slides, and all the other auctioneers were suited and booted,” he said.

A screenshot of Marty Fox from The Block 2024.

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“Then when Neale had to go part-time on The Block last year, the executives freaked out and one of them said; ‘Get the guy back with the shorts!’

“They didn’t remember Marty, but they remembered the shorts.”

A screenshot from The Block.

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No stranger to renovating, having flipped some 15 houses with his wife, Charlotte, Mr Fox said being a judge on the show had helped his credibility.

“It’s like, if Channel 9 can trust our CEO on the biggest rating TV show that’s unscripted, you can trust (WHITE FOX) with your property and something we’re all experts on,” he said. “It’s a massive credibility piece for me.

Andrew and Rob (dark shirt) Gray of Graya, a successful company teaming up with WHITE FOX real estate agency to launch its first Brisbane office. Photograph David Kelly

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“I was part-time last year as well so they were testing… now that it’s a full time gig, at the end of this season, the true effect of The Block will be felt by all WHITE FOX staff.”

Rob Gray has been friends with the WHITE FOX CEO for about six years, so it seemed only natural to assist with Mr Fox’s foray into the Queensland market, with the Brisbane office set to open mid September, led by Phillip Rand as sales director.

Marty Fox, Rob Gray, and Phillip Rand, who together, are opening WHITE FOX Real Estate’s first Brisbane office. Image supplied.

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“For me, I’m just a strategic partner,” Mr Gray said. “It will complement Graya as a business. I think it’s going to have a lot of impact in our market.”

Mr Fox added: “Having Rob’s involvement is one of the biggest endorsements you can have in a city like Brisbane, where he’s got such an influence.”

New Block judge Marty Fox from WhiteFox Real Estate in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied/Channel 9

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The expansion of the office into Brisbane will shortly be followed up by the opening of a Gold Coast office, Mr Fox also revealed.

“Developers are going between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, so we have to be in both (markets),” he said.

“Now that you can do good business and be on the beach and be an hour from a metropolitan like Brisbane — they’re in cahoots.”

He also revealed he’s in the market himself for a property in Broadbeach, Burleigh, or Mermaid Beach.

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