The Block blocks competition with 2.7 million viewers

"Before the auction I was so nervous I thought I was going to vomit, and as soon as it was over I was (so) overwhelmed I did just that," Welham said after winning over $600,000.

This year’s finale was in stark contrast to last years climax where only one house sold at a public auction, however, producers this season held proceedings in private with only registered bidders able to attend.

"Naturally we wanted the house to sell for a good price but we wouldn't let ourselves get carried away dreaming about this kind of profit,” Cranfield said.

"Real estate sales can be unpredictable at the best of times and we always knew that was the case on The Block,” he added. “Fortunately it went our way today. It has been a truly life-changing experience for us and all The Block couples.''

With all four properties selling at auction, the total payout to the teams was a staggering $1.84 million!

Despite some online criticism that reserves were set intentionally low by producers so the final winnings looked bigger, The Block judge and real estate agent John McGrath said that all reserves were set by an independent valuer.

“I think the sale prices reflected both the great location of the properties as well as the quality renovation work carried out by the couples,” he said. "Whilst the show is a great marketing tool for the sale process, we are still talking about real buyers paying hard earned money for the privilege of ownership, so I believe they reflect a genuinely successful renovation and sale process.”

In reality though, it all came down to one thing, McGrath explained.

"Having buyers write out cheques for such large sums of money is probably the best acid test of any reality television scenario.”

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